Medford Cruise Rolls Back Into Downtown This Weekend
The 41st annual Medford Cruise brings show cars, warm weather and Saturday evening road closures to Medford.
A classic car joins the downtown Medford cruise route, where spectators can expect rolling traffic, road closures and no-parking restrictions Saturday evening. Photo courtesy of Medford Cruise.
MEDFORD, Ore. — For one weekend each summer, downtown Medford sounds a little different.
Engines rumble. Families gather along the sidewalks. Polished chrome catches the evening sun. And for longtime Rogue Valley residents, the Medford Cruise returns as one of those familiar summer markers that feels both nostalgic and local.
The 41st annual Medford Cruise is set for Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20, with car shows, music, food, judging events and the Saturday evening downtown cruise. Most daytime activities will take place at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park, 334 Holmes Avenue, before the event moves into downtown Medford on Saturday evening.
The cruise began in 1985 as a gathering of local car clubs and enthusiasts. What started as a simple idea — bring the cars together and cruise downtown — grew into a long-running Southern Oregon tradition.
Organizers say proceeds from the event support youth organizations in Southern Oregon. Over the past 40 years, the Medford Cruise has contributed more than $620,000 to local youth programs.
For spectators, Medford Cruise events are free to attend.
The Medford Cruise brings rows of classic cars, shade tents and spectators to Fichtner-Mainwaring Park before the event moves downtown for Saturday evening’s cruise. Photo courtesy of Medford Cruise.
A Friday Evening Start at the Park
The weekend begins Friday at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park with registration and packet pickup for participating vehicle owners from 3 to 9 p.m.
A new Friday evening Show ’N Shine Dinner and Music Party in the Park will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Participating vehicles may begin parking between 5 and 6:30 p.m.
Food will be available for purchase, and attendees are encouraged, though not required, to wear 1950s-style attire. For people who want a slower start to the weekend, Friday offers a chance to see cars at the park before the larger Saturday crowd arrives.
Show cars at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park give spectators a chance to see the details up close before Saturday evening’s cruise through downtown Medford. Photo courtesy of Medford Cruise.
Saturday Brings the Cars Up Close
Saturday’s Show ’N Shine events will feature both 1979-and-older vehicles and 1980-and-newer vehicles.
Parking for participating vehicles begins at 8 a.m., and the show runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park.
For spectators, the daytime show is the best chance to walk the rows, see the details up close and talk with vehicle owners before the cruise moves downtown. Judging is scheduled throughout the day, with trophies awarded from 1 to 4 p.m.
This year’s judging categories include Chevy/GM, Ford, MOPAR, imports, trucks, motorcycles, 1980-and-newer vehicles, all other makes and models, and several specialty awards, including Best in Show and the Medford Mayor’s Choice.
Vehicles pass through downtown Medford during a past Medford Cruise, the part of the weekend many residents know best. This year’s downtown cruise is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Photo courtesy of Medford Cruise.
The Downtown Cruise Rolls Saturday Evening
The part of the weekend many people know best — the downtown cruise — is scheduled for Saturday evening.
Lineup begins between 4:30 and 5 p.m., and the cruise is expected to run from 5 to 8 p.m. The route will take vehicles through downtown Medford, including Central Avenue, Front Street, West Main Street, 6th Street and 2nd Street.
For people planning to watch, expect crowds along the route and give yourself time to park outside the closure area. For drivers who are not attending the event, downtown Medford will be difficult to move through during the evening closure window.
The Medford Cruise route will bring vehicles through downtown Medford on Saturday evening, with road closures and no-parking restrictions expected along Central Avenue, Front Street, West Main Street, 6th Street and nearby streets.
What Drivers Should Know Before Saturday Evening
The City of Medford says partial road closures are likely throughout the day Saturday, with full closures expected during the cruise.
The following streets are expected to be fully impacted from approximately 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.:
Central Avenue, from Jackson Street to West Main Street
2nd Street, between Front Street and Central Avenue
6th Street, from Ivy Street to Central Avenue
West Main Street, from Central Avenue to Ivy Street
Front Street, from Jackson Street to West Main Street
No parking will be allowed along the cruise route Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. Vehicles left along the route during that time will be moved to the nearest open side street. Drivers looking for a relocated vehicle can contact the Medford Police Department.
Warm Weather Calls for a Little Planning
The weekend forecast is expected to feel like summer in Medford.
Friday is forecast to reach around 90 degrees, with Saturday in the upper 80s. Sunday is expected to be hotter, with highs in the low 90s.
Anyone spending several hours at the park or along the downtown route should plan for sun and heat. Water, sunscreen, hats and shade breaks will help make the day more comfortable, especially for children, older adults and anyone walking between the park, parking areas and the cruise route.
With dry conditions in place across the region, visitors should also use extra care with anything that could spark a fire.
Cover image: Classic cars line Fichtner-Mainwaring Park during the Medford Cruise, a longtime Southern Oregon summer tradition that returns this weekend with show cars, judging events and the Saturday evening downtown cruise. (medfordcruise.org)
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