On September 10, 2022, downtown Waynesburg welcomes back for the 21st year what has become one of the most popular car cruises in southwestern Pennsylvania. The 50s Fest & Car Cruise, presented by Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful, Inc., typically draws 150+ classic vehicles to downtown, including a wide assortment of hot rods, street rods, rat rods, and other classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
It’s a great day of family fun, because 50s Fest & Car Cruise is so much more than a typical car show. The festival also offers retro fun with dance contests, bubblegum blowing, and Hula Hoop contests with oldies music broadcast live all day by Sponsor WANB Radio’s “Greene County Greaser” aka Doug Wilson. There are also plentiful door prizes and unique shopping and specials from many downtown merchants and restaurants.
Support is offered by several local sponsors who are featured on the back of the festival’s annual collectible T-shirt. The hand drawn t-shirt art is created each year by local artist Colleen Nelson and usually features an actual classic vehicle belonging to a cruise participant. This year’s shirt features Casey Stark’s red 1955 Chevy Bel Air. On the t-shirt, the car will be depicted in front of the revitalized Denny House in downtown Waynesburg.
“It’s always fun to tie in some local landmark with the vehicle on the t-shirt, and Colleen Nelson has a way of really bringing the personality of both the site and the vehicle alive. Our 50s Fest t-shirts are highly collectible. They will go on sale at the 50s Fest at 10am for just $15, so don’t miss getting yours,” shares Danielle Nyland, 50s Fest Committee Co-chairperson and board member for Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful. The festival is organized by co-chairs Danielle and Doug Wilson and their committee of local gear heads, grumpy old men, and car collectors.
50s Fest tradition also offers a collectible magnetic dash plaque free to all participants and for sale to spectators as long as they last. “The generous support we receive from the downtown merchants and local businesses is what enables us to make this a free event for spectators and participants. There are no admission fees or registration fees for the 50’s Fest & Car Cruise in downtown Waynesburg. Make your plans now to be there or be square,” warns Danielle.
If you’re looking to make a weekend of fun car activities, stop by Thistlethwaite Vineyards on Friday, September 9 at 5pm for the last of the 2022 Second Friday Car Cruises. There’s no entry fee to join in and enjoy the music, wine, slushies, and the Iced Cake & Ice Cream food truck. Remember to bring your own seating for outside!
After enjoying your time at the free 50s Fest event, head on over to the Greene County Airport for some street racing without the jail time. The Flashlight Drags are returning on both Saturday and Sunday for special Flashlight Drag events. Saturday’s event registration starts at 2pm and the racing starts at 4pm. On Sunday, registration starts at 12pm and racing begins at 2pm.