Soledad’s Hot Summer Day event brings in hundreds of classic cars and people

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Despite the heat, people from across the Salinas Valley headed out to Soledad today for the city's 3rd annual hot summer days event and car show.

Front street has been full of people here to see hundreds of classic cars and enjoy the festival.

The city says the event also helps raise money for community programs and services. 

Saturday certainly a hot summer day in Soledad, as over 300 classic cars lined up and down front street. 

Many community members coming out to support the city, as well as local cars clubs and businesses. 

"We obviously want to try to bring businesses to downtown," Meghan Hunter the city manager for the city of Soledad said. "It really represents I think the culture of the community of Soledad and really resonates because there is quite a culture here in the valley, and so I think it brings everything together."

Many people at the event including Fernando Diaz share an enthusiasm and passion for the vibrant culture of low riders. 

“It's nice to come out to see all these beautiful custom rides and you know just a culture of the low riders and custom cars and motorcycles," Fernando Diaz from Salinas said.

“We always try to support the other car clubs in the area and we know crusaders are in partnership with the city of Soledad so we come to support and it’s a good turn out," Brent Baker from Salinas said.

Higher temperatures were posted in the Salinas Valley but that did not deter anyone from supporting the event.

“I was surprise I thought a lot of  people would be staying home today and avoiding the temperature, but it’s good to see this many people support the cause," Angel Martinez from Salinas said.

The city says Hot Summer Days started back in 2022 as a collaboration between crusaders car club and Soledad police as a way to support community engagement and fundraise for vital programs. 

Chief Damon Watson says he's happy to see the event grow more each year. 

“Last year we had over five thousand people show up here so we’re hoping to break that record," Damon Watson Chief of Soledad Police said. "We extended it, we made the road longer for parking all the cars so hopefully we’ll have more more people come out this year."

The city manager of Soledad tells us the proceeds from this event will go towards violent prevention programming.