The upcoming car show

It is that time again, for the Seal Beach Classic Car show! Now in it’s 23rd year, it is one of the longest running annual events in our community. What is in store for this year? Well, cars, vendors & visitors, as always!
This year on April 24th from 10 am to 3 pm, our Main Street becomes classic car heaven. More than 500 cars will begin to fill up our downtown around 6 am. From woodies to muscle cars, there is plenty for every gearhead to admire. We expect thousands of visitors to come and enjoy our community and show.
The car show takes months of planning and dozens of volunteers to pull off. Brian Warner, this year’s Seal Beach Car Show event chair feels the Chamber has stepped it up, “We have 30 judging categories and are particularly happy with our t-shirt which will feature two of our winners from last year and new styles for women and children.” He added, “We also have listened to participants, attendees, merchants and residents to make this the best car show ever!”
Brian has been working for the last several years on improving the judging system and quality. Participants really value that kind of focus. The expansion of categories from just 20 a couple of years ago to the 30 now, which makes divisions more descriptive and in line with other shows.
Other key improvements include enhancements to the parking process with seven points of entry into the show, more vendors and a smooth operating team. Currently, every leader in the show has been a part of it for at least a year. JoAnn Adams, a former president of the Chamber and chair of the show for several years, worked tirelessly to improve the entry process for the show. She along with major participants like Stuart Green, a new car show committee member, and his group of 51 entrants helped design the flow patterns to make the entry smooth and efficient. JoAnn shared, “We really wanted to make sure the cars don’t have to idle a long time and that they have minimal noise for the residents. By bringing them in from multiple streets they park faster and better.” Signage set up and barricades begins around 3:30 am and Bryce Turner and his team, including volunteers from the Naval Weapons Station, will be coordinating this inflow. This system eliminates back up on Pacific Coast Highway and along Seal Beach Boulevard.
The Chamber has continued to partner with the Seal Beach Lions and Leos for the Pancake Breakfast as it has been a part of the car show tradition for the last nine years. Long term Lion, past Chamber president and car show corporate sponsor Jim Klisanin feels, “We have always had good car shows, but this year we have made it even better. I have talked to a lot of the participants in years past and they almost always say this car show is their favorite.” The Lions will be continuing through lunch this year with their famous bratwursts so stop on down by the pier and get some!
Vendors are more expansive and focused in Eisenhower Park thanks to sponsorship chair Gina Phillips. More than twenty vendors will be in place up there, though the Big Red Bus will be make an appearance down by PCH.
There should be more to do and see this year in the park as the Pinewood Derby moves over into it. It certainly adds even more of a family friendly atmosphere to have the kids all racing cars too!
Car show central is located at the Electric and Main intersections and will be an information and registration hub. Judging begins at 10 am and wraps up around 1 pm. Our new PA system should allow Rick Paap, our MC and the 2:30 pm awards ceremony to be clearly heard. So invite friends and family to come down to Seal Beach on the 24th to help us celebrate classic cars, our community and our merchants. If you need more information, please contact the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce at (562)799-0157 or info@sealbeachchamber.org