Cruzin’ Clinton Car Show brings community, competition to Olde Town
The 16th annual car show drew more than 100 participants.
On Sept. 20, the City of Clinton hosted the 16th annual Cruzin’ Clinton Car Show. The event, held on the Olde Town brick streets, saw the participation of over 100 vehicles and their drivers. From pristine 1960s and 1970s Ford Broncos to classic cruisers dating back to the 1940s, there was no shortage of entertainment for the automotive enthusiasts.
The show was held during Mississippi College’s (MC) family weekend, giving MC students, friends, and family the chance to join the greater Clinton community in their annual automotive event.
The show was coordinated by Main Street Clinton, the city’s programming and events department, and a branch of the Mississippi Main Street Association. As part of the event’s leadership team, Allison and Tyson Reno worked the show and shared about the event’s history and turnout.
“It’s really cool to see how this event has morphed over the years. Because when we first started, we were literally in the parking lot at Big Lots,” Allison Reno said. “When you move it into a place like Olde Town, it’s already an organic feel. And so when you bring a car show into it, it just really is this amazing venue, to have not only old car guys, but young car guys. You’ve got families that come shopping for the ladies. You have pottery right here that they can do. People can go to the bakery. It’s a wonderful family event.”
The event coordinator serves on the board of Main Street Clinton and is a small business owner on the brick streets. Reno shared that they counted 101 cars at the show. The Clintonian has been assisting with the event for over a decade with her husband, Tyson. The couple brought their own car as part of the display: a 1968 Ford Mustang convertible.
Like most car shows, the event had a competitive aspect. Participants competed for 34 available awards, including those given out by event sponsors and city officials. The main awards consisted of the top 25 and the Ben Todd Best in Show award.
“I want to give a huge thanks, big thanks to all of the drivers of the cars today for shining the cars up, getting them out here on a sunny day, showing them off. Please put your hands together for all of our drivers out here today. I hope they make a little noise whenever they leave this afternoon. They always put on a good show,” Tyson Reno said during the awards announcements.
The Best in Show trophy was awarded to Ade Fleming of Jackson, Mississippi. The driver attended in his 1946 Ford convertible nicknamed “Vanilla Ice.” Fleming has had the vehicle for 24 years and is no stranger to car shows. He has attended Cruzin’ Clinton and many other auto shows, showcasing various cars on which he has worked over the years. Fleming noted that his cars have appeared in several auto publications, including Southern Rodder magazine and Goodtimes Gazette. “It’s just a car that I love, an old car,” Fleming said.
Allison Reno described the importance of awards to the drivers. Many drivers consider these cars to be their most prized possession.
“It’s a lot, it’s bragging rights, so some of these guys…they will have plaques and trophies and all sorts of things lined up, and it’s their pride, it is amazing,” Reno said. “And so when you’re at a car show or if you’re in an event like this, talking to the people, the person who’s sitting closest by the car is probably the owner – and they want to talk to you about it.”
For Fleming and dozens of other drivers, the day ended with awards, handshakes, and the engine-revving satisfaction of seeing their work admired up and down the brick streets.