Rain or shine, Shelbyfest will be rolling into Jefferson City.
As part of the multi-day event, attendees can view various makes and models of Fords and Mustangs from Thursday through Saturday in downtown Jefferson City.
In its 13th year, Shelbyfest first came to Jefferson City in 2015 after outgrowing its original location in Hermann. Shelbyfest organizers said the car show typically brings in 700 cars from across the country and attracts more than 20,000 people.
Attendees can view the various Fords and Mustangs parked along High Street from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday.
"Saturday usually brings out a good crowd if we've got great weather," Shelbyfest founder Kyle Caraway said. "I expect to see a lot of families bringing their kids out."
There will be a "Moment of Horsepower" at noon when drivers will rev their vehicles to honor and remember those who have sacrificed their lives, as well as to thank emergency and service personnel in the military, police, fire and EMS, Shelbyfest cruise organizer Dennis Even said.
"It's quite a deal. You get 600, 700 cars uptown, and when most of them fire their engines up and sit there and rev their engines for about 30 seconds or so, it is quite the racket," he said. "It's pretty awesome."
There will also be a Mid-Missouri country cruise at 4 p.m. Friday, where vehicles will drive through Westphalia, Meta, St. Thomas, Brazito, Lohman, St. Martins and Apache Flats. Even said, the vehicles will leave Walmart, at 401 Supercenter Drive, around 4:15 p.m.
There will also be a cruise Thursday evening through Central Missouri, where drivers will depart around 4:15 p.m. from Walmart, at 401 Supercenter Drive, and take Missouri 94 to Hermann before jumping onto Missouri 100 to Morrison and Chamois. The drivers will then get onto U.S. 50, outside of Linn, and drive back to Jefferson City, where they will meet at the Missouri State Penitentiary for photos and prison tours.
Drivers of all makes and models of cars and bikes can participate in a cruise 6-10 p.m. Friday on East McCarty Street, outside of Capitol Plaza Hotel, 415 W. McCarty St. There will also be live music beginning at 7 p.m.
If it does rain, Caraway said, they will move the festivities inside Capitol Plaza Hotel.
Also, drivers can partake in autocross from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Hyde Park Fire Training Facility, 2304 Hyde Park Road. There are only 70 spots available each day, the website notes, and it costs $25 per car or $25 per driver if more than one driver will be using the car. Drivers can purchase autocross credentials at shelbyfest.net or at the autocross.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the chance of rain begins decreasing after 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. However, the chance of rain spikes around 9 a.m. Friday and fluctuates throughout the day. The National Weather Service shows a small chance of rain Saturday.
"The show is rain or shine, and all I've got to say is don't be a sissy. Your car won't melt," Caraway said jokingly.
Following Shelbyfest, the Capital City will host another free annual car show May 10-11 - the Capital City Corvette Classic.
The Capital City Corvette Classic will kick off with a 4 p.m. cruise May 10. Drivers will leave Riley Chevrolet, 2033 Christy Drive, and go down Route B through St. Thomas and Meta. The cruise will loop back up routes P and T to U.S. 63 to head back to Jefferson City. The cruise will end at Ruby Tuesdays, 2300 Missouri Blvd.
The car show will last from noon-3 p.m. May 11 at the corner of East Capitol Avenue and Madison Street.
There is a $20 standard entry fee and a $10 non-judged fee for participants.
During the event, there will be optional tours of the Missouri State Penitentiary on Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Those interested can visit missouripentours.com.