Cars in the Park

Northport Cars in the Park is the longest-running auto show in Leelanau County. Held annually on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

The car show began in 1998 at the request of the Northport Omena Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber wanted to find a way to begin the tourist season early with an event over Memorial Day weekend. At that time George Irvine had been successfully directing car events in Traverse City for a number of years and he was asked to start a car show in Northport on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Since George was a long-time volunteer fireman, it was agreed that the car show would be a fundraiser for the Northport Omena Firefighters Association. When the Firefighter’s Association decided to end their involvement in the event after the 2014 show, they turned to George's son, Darin Irvine, to carry on the tradition. Darin gathered a group of local car nuts who shared his enthusiasm for ensuring the survival of the popular event into a committee of advisors. These advisors, as well as a multitude of additional volunteers on the day of the show, join him in a common cause. Darin Irvine Custom Automotive Restoration is the lead sponsor for the event and provides the administration required for a successful car show. The Leelanau Township Community Foundation as well as Dick and Sherry Koenig have been the other two lead sponsors for the show since 2015. For 2022 Sherry Koenig has sponsored the show again, this time in loving memory of Richard, who loved the event.

The name Cars in the Park stemmed from the setting of the car show, as Haserot park was chosen for the venue. There have been shows where intrepid car enthusiasts have braved cold weather and rain, but mostly the weather has been cooperative so the owners of classic cars and the many spectators can enjoy a family-friendly event in a beautiful lakeside park.

Northport Village has wholeheartedly supported the show throughout the years and the show continues to thrive in Haserot Park. Local residents continue to volunteer to help with the show and the local businesses provide door prizes and enthusiastically welcome the crowds of spectators. For more information, please visit NorthportCarsinthePark.com