Year 28 of Cruisin’ the Coast is complete, and the event once again solidified its reputation as America’s top car show.
Participants from 44 U.S. states and four countries descended upon the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the week-long “block party” with a total of 9,961 vehicles officially registering in the show – not including more than 5,000 unregistered cars that were also on display for the event.
While the show narrowly missed the 10,000-car mark, which was met last year, some eyepopping numbers were still notched. The event’s most recent economic impact study shows that Cruisin’ the Coast boosts the Mississippi economy to the tune of $36.1 million – $33.1 million of which is contained to the three coastal counties.
“It just does so much for so many people. From waitresses to housekeepers to business owners – it just reaches out so far and does so much for so many,” Cruisin’ the Coast executive director Woody Bailey said during an appearance on MidDays with Gerard Gibert. “That’s what I like about the event. And if we can do all that and help the economy out and have fun in the process, it doesn’t really get much better than that.”
18% of the nearly 10,000 registrants were first-timers to the show – what Bailey says is proof that the event is still growing, along with continuing to attract car enthusiasts who have already participated in years past.
“We’re on a lot of people’s bucket list,” Bailey said. “I love seeing how many first-timers we have each year and how many people love coming back. You never know what they might bring.”
Along with world-class antique and rare cars, the event stands out as one that continues to beat expectations with every trip around the track. Motorheads and rubber lovers keep coming back. More than 1,000 cars went ahead and registered for Cruisin’ the Coast 2025 before the conclusion of the 2024 edition.
Bailey added that work is already being done to meet those sky-high standards again next year – and the year after that.
“Our 30th anniversary is coming up in two years – we’re already working on that as well,” Bailey said, noting that his planning team keeps careful note of how swelling crowds and locals experience the show. “We plan ahead all the time looking forward to the next year and the years down the road.”
