SAVE THE DATE: 

Sunday, September 20th from 10am-4pm will be the Arts & Cars: Downtown Arts Festival & Car Show! 

CONSTRUCTION ZONE: CHECK BACK IN AUGUST FOR MORE DETAILS!!!

ART SHOW: The Summit Downtown Arts Festival is an outdoor, juried art show and showcases a diverse range of artistic talents, featuring local artists and artisans presenting their creations in various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore and purchase unique and original items. The Art Festival, organized by the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will be located on Springfield Avenue between Beechwood Road and Summit Avenue. Find the application HERE.

CAR SHOW: This year the Cool, Custom, & Classic Car Show will once again be sponsored and operated by Peotter's Auto Body & Spa. Peotter's is bringing their expertise to make the show more fun! Want to show your car? Pre-register HERE by Thursday, 9/17 for just $20 and you can enter to be in The People Choice Award Category! Day-of registration is also available for $25 but you can't be included in the People's Choice Category. Cars may arrive after 7am, no cars accepted after 9:30am. Cars check in at Bank Street & Summit Avenue. All makes and models welcome!

Below are the potential awards categories (*** = will be an award):

• ***People’s Choice: Voted on by show attendees or the general public -  (Only available to those who pre-registered so we can set-up a voting link/poll)
• ***Best in Show: The most prestigious award, given to the overall favorite vehicle of the event.
• Best Paint/Best Finish: Highlights outstanding bodywork, color choice, and gloss.
• Best Engine Bay: Awarded for the cleanest, most heavily modified, or best-presented engine.
• Best Interior: Recognizes upholstery, custom dashboards, and cabin restoration.
• Best Custom/Best Modification: For heavily altered, non-factory builds.
• Best Restored/Best Original (Survivor): Given to unrestored cars that remain in factory condition.
• Furthest Traveled / Longest Distance: A fun award for the driver who drove the furthest to attend.
  
  
• Antique / Vintage: Typically pre-1949 or strictly pre-WWII.
• Classic: Commonly covers the 1950s and early 1960s.
• Muscle Car: Divided by era (e.g., 60s/70s) or domestic origin.
• Hot Rod / Street Rod: Modified vintage cars (often pre-1948).
• Rat Rod: Unfinished, patina-heavy, or purposefully rusted custom builds.
• Import / Tuner: Foreign vehicles, tuner builds, and Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars.
• Euro/Exotic: High-end sports cars, supercars, and European luxury or performance vehicles.
• Truck / 4x4: Often split into specific sub-categories like Best Lifted, Best Lowered, or Best Work Truck.
  
  
• Club Participation / Largest Club: Awarded to the local car club with the most registered members attending.
• Sponsor’s Choice: Picked by the event's business sponsors or partners.
• Mayor’s / Official’s Choice: Handed out by local public officials.
• Best Daily Driver: Celebrates a well-kept car that actually sees everyday use.

4 SDI Trophies Awarded by Peotter's

• People’s Choice (Only available to those who pre-registered so we can set-up a voting link/poll)
• Best in Show 
• Most Unique 
• Peotter’s Top 10 - (Car Decals will be awarded to vehicles determined by Peotter’s)

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT:

There will be plenty of live entertainment. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy performances by local musicians, adding to the festive atmosphere and providing a lively backdrop for the event. Below is the lineup. Special thanks to Summit Hearing Aid Center. 

Main Stage Performers (The stage is located in the middle of the intersection of Beechwood Road and Springfield Ave.)

• Candice Lee: 10am - 12noon
• Rusty Monks: 12noon - 2pm
• Big Train: 2pm - 4pm

Beer/Wine Garden Performers (Bank Street Parking Lot) 

• Jeiris Cook: 11 am - 1:30pm
• Matt Mattheiss: 1:30- 4pm

We are also bringing back the Giant TV Screen THIS YEAR, so come catch the football games on our big screen TV starting at 1pm!

Train Station Performers

• DJ Paul Fessock (Mr. Socks) 10am - 4pm

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY!

COME HUNGRY!

BEER and WINE GARDEN: The Bank Street parking lot will be transformed into a Beer & Wine Garden sponsored by downtown Summit’s own Cambridge Wines and the very generous Peerless Beverage Co. and will feature draft beers and a variety of fine wines. Open at 11AM, all are welcome inside the Beer & Wine Garden to enjoy some games or take a seat to enjoy some food, those aged 21 years and older are able to get a wristband to purchase alcoholic beverages. Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, plenty of tables for dining, cornhole and other games, and just a great place to take a break! Grab some food from Food Truck Alley or any downtown eatery and bring it to the Beer & Wine Garden to enjoy! Drink tickets can be purchased at the entrance at Lyric Park on Beechwood Rd. and are CASH only.

DON'T FORGET: The Summit Farmers Market will also be open at 22 DeForest Avenue from 8AM-1PM.