Mid State Cruizers’ 34th annual car show fuels Cruisin’ Weekend while raising thousands for local nonprofits

ATASCADERO — The engines roared and the streets came alive as Atascadero’s 32nd Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite rolled through town on Friday, Aug. 15, officially kicking off the city’s coveted Cruisin’ Weekend. With all 350 vehicle slots selling out nearly a week in advance, the tradition once again drew crowds downtown to admire the lineup of classic and custom cars.

This year’s festivities were highlighted by a refreshed, walkable downtown and culminated with a lively Saturday, featuring the Mid-State Cruizers Car Show at Atascadero Lake Park and the ever-growing Dancing in the Streets, which saw record attendance thanks in part to a special performance by The Molly Ringwald Project.

“The entire weekend of events went off even better than expected, from the weather to the attendance, and it’s always a highlight for many of us to see all of the families and children enjoying the event from the Cruise to dancing with the bands for Dancing in the Streets,” Director of Community Services & Promotions Terrie Banish shared with Atascadero News.

Families lined the sidewalks, lawn chairs and blankets in tow, while children waved eagerly at passing hot rods and muscle cars, their chrome gleaming under the summer sun. The air buzzed with nostalgia as engines rumbled down El Camino Real, blending with laughter, live music, and the smell of food from local vendors. From longtime cruisers proudly showing off their rides to first-time spectators soaking in the sights, the weekend captured the spirit of community and celebration that has made Cruisin’ Weekend a treasured Atascadero tradition.

The president of the Mid State Cruizers, Roy Barba, told ATN that Cruise Nite with the new El Camino Real updates went pretty smoothly.

Photos by Rick Evans/ATN

“For the first time out with that new configuration, I don’t think it was actually horrible,” said Barba.

The history of Hot El Camino Cruise Nite is thanks to the Mid State Cruizers [Cruizers], a club founded in 1989 by local car enthusiasts dedicated to preserving classic vehicles. Originally called the Mid State Muscle Cars, the group hosted its first Atascadero Lake Car Show in 1990 with 80 participants before broadening its name and membership to welcome all types of vehicles — even a 1958 Crown Fire Engine. By 1993, the Cruizers launched the first Cruise Nite, which later grew under the City of Atascadero’s leadership into the tradition we know and love today. Beyond celebrating cars, the club has long supported the community — helping fund the Lake Park Pavilion and creating the award-winning Atascadero Police D.A.R.E. Car in 1994. That specialty vehicle, built by club members under the direction of Les Heilmann, remains a symbol of the Cruizers’ legacy and was honored at last year’s show following Heilmann’s passing.

The 34th Annual Mid State Cruizers Car Show continued the car-filled weekend on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Atascadero Lake Park. All funds from the show are donated to local nonprofits, as stated in the club’s bylaws, continuing the tradition of community support. Last year, Mid State Cruizers donated $12,000 to several local nonprofits, with the funds raised from last year’s car show.

“The car show is our main fundraiser of the year. Every penny we make in profit, we donate back to a local community [nonprofit],” Barba explained. “Thankfully, we have very generous business owners in the area. They sponsor trophies or donate different kinds of raffle prizes.”

At the Cruizers’ next meeting in September, members will discuss and nominate local nonprofits they want to receive some of this year’s proceeds.

“A lot of effort goes into it on the part of all of us,” Barba added. “When it comes to November, when we hand those checks out, it really does pay off … when you see the people that are representing these charities and they appreciate it. It’s going to do some good, so it makes it all worthwhile. I know it sounds like a cliche, but honestly, when you’re doing it, it’s truth.”

For more information on the Mid State Cruizers, visit midstatecruizers.org

Feature Image: People lined the streets up and down El Camino Real to see a multitude of classic cars 2025 Cruise Nite Weekend. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN