Hundreds of classic cars and thousands of people are expected to make their way to downtown Chatham this weekend for RetroFest.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Retrofest, and organizers wanted to add some more special events, especially at Tecumseh Park.
"Along with our vendors, live music, kid zone going on in the park, we've got our parking lot party on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.," said Kaitlin Goulet, Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA. "The classic car show on Saturday, and we'll also have free cake in the park on Saturday. Fireworks at 9 p.m., you can see them from the park and from downtown. And a movie in the park on Sunday, which is free admission, and it's going to be Grease."
The movie will screen at dusk in Tecumseh Park on Sunday, May 25, but Goulet added that the party really starts on Friday, May 23 with the Parking Lot Party behind the Retro Suites Hotel.
"We'll have a DJ, an ice cream truck, some other vendors," said Goulet. "But the point is basically for anybody that loves their car, they can bring it out. It doesn't have to be a classic car, all cars are welcome."
There will be live music in Tecumseh Park on Friday from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m., then the fun continues on Saturday, May 24, with the classic car show. Around 600 vehicles are expected to line the streets of downtown Chatham.
"On Saturday, registration starts at 7 a.m. and goes to 11 a.m. We have our car show awards at 3 p.m. in the park, and Tecumseh Park opens at 10 a.m.," said Goulet.
New this year is an admission fee of $2 to enter the park, but kids 12 and under are free. Live music will start at 1:30 and continue until 11 p.m.
The car show means there will be road closures on Saturday, including the Fifth Street Bridge.
"There's a map on our website on www.downtownchatham.com under RetroFest 2025, and it'll also have a list of the bathrooms," said Goulet. "But it will definitely help with navigating those barricades, cause it does get pretty messy down there."
Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K.) will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets, and Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix raffle tickets at Retrofest Chatham.