CRUISE IN!
Hot rods, oldies, and Lakeview Park.
Frankfort's annual classic car gathering.
Friday June 5, 2026 · 5 PM – 8 PM · Lakeview Park · Free to spectate.
Kicking off Capital Expo weekend on Friday night — three hours of classic cars, hot rods, restorations, and the kind of chrome you can see your reflection in. Bring your show car or just bring lawn chairs and come admire what your neighbors have been wrenching on.
DJ Rick Johnson brings the soundtrack — oldies, classic rock, and crowd favorites from the eras these cars came out of. Grab dinner from the festival food trucks, find a spot under the trees, and settle in for the perfect small-town summer evening.
Everything you need to know.
The quick rundown for show car owners and spectators alike.
Date & Time
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Arrive early for prime parking
Entertainment
Oldies, classic rock,
and crowd favorites
Vehicles Welcome
Restorations, antiques,
muscle cars, motorcycles
Location & Parking
Park Ave & Steadmantown Ln
Frankfort, KY 40601
Free spectator parking
A Friday night with chrome, oldies, and good people.
The Cruise-In has been a quiet Frankfort favorite for years — the kind of summer evening where you walk around, point at someone’s lovingly restored ’67 Camaro, swap stories with the owner, and watch the sun go down while DJ Rick Johnson plays the songs you grew up on.
No entry fees for spectators. No pressure for car owners. Just an easy, family-friendly opening night for Capital Expo weekend.
Two ways to join the cruise.
Whether you’ve got a show car ready to roll or you just want to wander and look — there’s a spot for everyone Friday night.
Got a Show Car?
Bring it out. No registration form, no entry fee, no judging. Just roll in starting at 4:30 PM, find a spot, and pop the hood. Spectators love asking owners about their builds.
Just Coming to Look?
Even better — spectating is free. Bring lawn chairs, grab dinner from the festival food trucks, and walk the rows. Chat with owners. Take photos. Stay for the whole evening.
Hang Out & Enjoy
DJ Rick Johnson spins from 5 to 8 PM. Oldies, classic rock, sing-alongs. Sun goes down around 8:30 — the perfect Friday-evening kickoff to Capital Expo weekend.
Frequently asked questions.
No advance registration is required. Just roll in starting around 4:30 PM, find an open spot in the Cruise-In area, and you’re set. We don’t charge entry fees or do formal judging — this is a casual gathering.
Spectating is completely free. Walk the rows, admire the cars, chat with the owners, listen to the DJ. Bring lawn chairs and stay as long as you want. Free parking is available throughout Lakeview Park.
Classic cars, hot rods, antiques, restorations, muscle cars, motorcycles — any era, any style. If you’re proud of it, bring it. No minimum age or condition requirement.
Yes — Capital Expo Festival is happening at the same time with multiple food vendors, concessions, and carnival treats. No need to bring your own dinner, but you’re welcome to bring lawn chairs and coolers.
In the case of light rain we usually carry on. For severe weather we’ll post updates on the Capital Expo Facebook page the day of the event. Check there for any last-minute changes.
Cruise-In ends at 8 PM and we ask that all show vehicles clear the park by 8:30 PM. Lakeview Park does not have overnight parking permitted for show cars. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday with regular festival parking.
Yes! The Cruise-In is the Friday night kickoff for Capital Expo weekend. The main festival continues Saturday and Sunday with the Funnel Cake 3K, Children’s Festival, Cornhole Tournament, and Expo Idol finals.
See the sponsorship options above, or email us at info@kyexpo.com. You can also call the Cruise-In Coordinator at 859-621-7704 or Vice President Amanda Presley at 502-320-9247.
Questions? Talk to the board.
Our board members are happy to answer questions about the Cruise-In, sponsorship, vehicle parking, or anything else weekend-related.