Prowers Partners for Progress, a non-profit organization, will be hosting what it hopes to be the first annual Downtown Custom & Classic Exposition in downtown Lamar August 17-18. The event will kick off Friday night at 6:00 p.m. with the opening of the Car Art at the DCCE exhibit at the Shore Arts Center at 115 South Main Street. 

The featured artist for the show is LeRoy Trusty (formerly from Lamar) and currently residing in Colorado Springs. LeRoy will be featuring about 30 of his pieces for the public along with dozens of other pieces from area students, adults, amateur and professional artists from around the region. Area students have been coloring car sheets which are featured at Brew Unto Others. Much of the artwork is available for purchase within the exhibit. The exhibit will also feature antique pedal cars, miniature cars of all sizes and car art in a variety mediums. 

The Valley Jazz Orchestra, directed by Greg Ludwig, will entertain during a free concert in the Shore Arts Center Park from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday. The audience will enjoy a variety of classic rock tunes performed in big band style.

At 8:00 p.m., locals and visitors will line up for a main street drag north to the Big Timbers Museum where they will be welcomed with free admission to the museum and to the transportation museum located on the property. 

Friday night will conclude with a free movie in the Shore Arts Center Park. The movie, Hot Rod Girl, is a classic black and white car-themed thriller that will delight people of all ages. Don’t miss the opportunity to get some drinks and treats Friday evening from Brew Unto Others, Quizno’s and Creede BBQ, which will all have special menus for the Downtown Custom & Classic Expo. 

Saturday morning will start off with a special pancake breakfast at Daylight Donut. The folks at Daylight, Brew Unto Others and Quiznos have been an integral part of the show from the beginning and we appreciate the extra efforts that all of our downtown restaurants have provided to make this a memorable show. Vendor load in will begin at 6:30 a.m. near the Enchanted Forest. Dozens of vendors will be on hand to share their goods and information with the spectators of the DCCE.

Vehicle registration begins at 8:00 a.m., with a large number of vehicles expected.

The show officially opens at 9:00 a.m. and the invocation and flag ceremony start at 10:00 a.m. The invocation will be led by Rev. Travis Walker, and the posting of the colors will be performed by American Legion Post #71. The Firehouse Carnival will entertain kids from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Saturday with a variety of classic carnival attractions and the unforgettable barrel train. Acoustic Eclectic performs at 11:30 a.m. and the winner of the Miss DCCE Trophy Girl contest will be announced. Sons of Valor will take the stage 1:00 p.m., with the awards ceremony set for 3:00 p.m. One Heck of a Band will perform at 4:00 p.m. followed by Steele Street at 6:00 p.m.

The afterburner party at Desiree’s Night Club begins at 10:30 p.m. and concludes at 2:00 a.m.