The La Mesa Classic Car Show is back for another summer, bringing classic vehicles, live music, and community gatherings to La Mesa Village every Thursday evening through August.
Now in its 32nd year, the event has grown from a small local gathering into a weekly summer tradition that draws vehicle owners, families, and visitors from throughout San Diego County.
According to John Bedlion, car show committee chair, the event has evolved significantly while maintaining its original open-door format.
“The La Mesa Classic Car Show has evolved from a small local gathering into a massive summer-long ‘Throttle Thursday’ street festival. While keeping its core open-door format—where anyone can simply drive up and park—it has grown to include weekly live bands atop the iconic La Mesa Lumber truck, a DJ, theme nights, and bustling downtown dining,” Bedlion said.
On a typical Thursday evening, organizers expect between 135 and 150 vehicles to participate.
Because the event operates as a casual cruise-in rather than a curated exhibition, Bedlion said the vehicle lineup changes weekly. He noted that crowd favorites tend to include uniquely modified one-offs, pop-culture-inspired cars, local classics, and restored muscle cars.
“The La Mesa Classic Car Show stands out from other events by blending a weekly, small-town street-party vibe with an immersive atmosphere. Centered around classic cars, the event operates as a relaxed, family-friendly summer tradition rather than a rigid, gated exhibition,” Bedlion said.
The event also serves as a major economic driver for La Mesa Village, bringing large weekly crowds that support local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and specialty retailers throughout the downtown district.
Live music remains a central part of the experience. Bedlion said bands are selected and booked in advance by the La Mesa Village Association, with a focus on established local favorites and high-energy tribute and cover bands that appeal to multi-generational audiences.
Looking at audience trends, Bedlion said younger generations are increasingly drawn to classic cars.
“Yes, the younger generations are definitely gravitating toward classic cars, with recent industry reports showing that Gen Z actually expresses more interest in classic ownership than Baby Boomers,” he said.
Pam Rader, car show committee co-chair, said the event’s long-term goal is to maintain its identity while continuing to evolve.
“Entering its fourth decade, the hope for the La Mesa Classic Car Show is that it preserves its signature, community-driven charm while organically expanding to celebrate automotive history. A vibrant future means blending timeless, classic hot rods with emerging ‘modern classic’ vehicles, ensuring the tradition thrives across generations,” Rader said.
Rader also highlighted the community roots of the event’s appeal.
“The spirit of the La Mesa Classic Car Show isn’t just about gleaming chrome; it’s anchored by generational family traditions,” she said.
“The lifelong participants who proudly display the exact vehicles their fathers bought brand new in the 1960s perfectly capture what the event means to the local community.”
The car show is from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays on La Mesa Boulevard.
