Closing in on half a million dollars raised, members of the Escalon Lions Club are putting the finishing touches on plans for their 30th annual Autumn Cruise.

Date for this year’s event is Saturday, Sept. 12, with the show set up in and around the city’s Main Street Park in downtown Escalon.

Show co-chair John Salvin noted that this 30th annual show will be “a pearl” – as that is the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary, and the show itself has become a real gem.

“We had exactly 200 pre-registered as of today,” Salvin shared on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with more cars expected to be entered between now and the Sept. 12 cruise.

“They come from a long way,” Salvin added of exhibitors for the classic car show, bringing cars, trucks and the occasional motorcycle to display.

The cruise also has a record number of vendors, with 22 signed up and scheduled to take part.

They will feature a wide variety of merchandise, with items for both men and women attending the classic car show.

Last year’s Best of Show winner, a 1964 Impala, is featured on this year’s Cruise T-shirts and hats, and will also be on display at the downtown show.

“It’s scheduled from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., but in the real world, people show up at 5 a.m. so they can get their favorite parking spot,” Salvin said, chuckling.

There are also multiple awards to be handed out, with judging done during the course of the show and the line up of award winners scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Though the show runs through 4 p.m., many start to pack up following the downtown cruise of the trophy winners.

Breakfast will be offered that day by the local American Legion starting at 7 a.m., there will be a lunch hosted by the Lions Club served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., DJ Ike will be on hand to provide the music and Salvin said they also have some special perks.

The grand prize drawing for participants, with two winners, will include two $400 cash prizes, with multiple opportunity drawing items available to the whole crowd, exhibitors and visitors alike.

Also, Salvin said the popular Treasure Chest will return, at a cost of $5 per key. If you pick a key that opens the chest, you choose an envelope and win the prize inside, whether it’s cash, merchandise certificate or a special coupon to a local business.

The show draws hundreds of exhibitors each year and brings in people from throughout the area to enjoy looking at the classics and visiting with the owners.

The best part, Salvin said, is that it is always a big money maker.

“All the proceeds from this go to our senior scholarships, our scholarships for graduating Escalon seniors,” Salvin said. “We’re at almost half a million dollars in scholarships given away.”

To register or for more information about the cruise, contact Lions Club members Mike Powers at 209-380-3190 or John Salvin at 209-838-7077. You can also email ELCAutumnCruise@gmail.com or visit the Escalon Lions Club on Facebook.