MIDDLESBORO — The second year of the Cruisin’ the Crater car show will be coming to Middlesboro this Saturday to kick of the monthly event that was such a success last year.

More than 200 cars participated each month last year.

“Some months there were more than 300 vehicles participating, “ said Judy Barton, Executive Director of the Bell County Tourism Commission.

This year’s shows are expected to be even bigger and better. Leeman Moyers, a member of the Tri-State Cruisers and coordinator of the event, says he expects 200 to 300 cars this Saturday.

“There will be live music from the Ponytails, an old time rock and roll band, and we will be giving out door prizes,” said Moyers.

Moyers, with the help of his fellow Tri-State Cruisers, began coordinating this event last year in order to bring a family-friendly summertime event to the area.

Just like last year the cruise will be a free event and will not be a competition. The vehicles will be there simply for visitors to enjoy. Participation in the event is also free, meaning there is no entry fee to show a vehicle.

There are several local restaurants and stores, including the Middlesboro Mall, that are supporting Cruisin’ the Crater.

Moyers said, “we have gotten a lot of help from the community and are looking forward to a good year.”

The show will be located in the Middlesboro Mall parking lot just behind the Shell gas station off of US Highway 25E.

“This is a prime location because when people drive by they notice the show and can stop and look at all the cars,” said Barton.

Cruisin’ the Crater will take place, rain or shine, every third Saturday from May to September. The show begins at 5 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. Each month there will be special performances, starting with the Ponytails at 6 p.m. this Saturday.

Featured cars will include antique cars and trucks, hot rods and motorcycles of all makes and models.

Dates for each month’s show are: May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16 and September 20.

For more information about Cruisin’ the Crater contact the Bell County Tourism Commission at (606) 248-2482 or for information about showing your vehicle contact Leeman Moyers at (606) 248-4762 or Curt Sams at (606) 248-1200.

Andrea Schneider is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. She can be contacted via e-mail at aschneider@middlesborodailynews.com.