An annual August event is happening on Thursday in Jefferson.

Cruisin’ to the Square will feature a variety of cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles to the downtown square from 4:30-7pm. Co-Organizer Chuck Wenthold says pre-registration brought in about 120 and more are being accepted now through Thursday until the start of the event. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio there are several awards given out, including two new ones this year. 

The Jefferson Kiwanis Aktion Club will choose their favorite, along with a Kids’ Choice where youth 12 and younger can vote for what they like the best. Wenthold talks about the inspiration behind including the Kids’ Choice Award.

“Seen it at some other shows. Sometimes they have a different perspective on what they think is cool. I know I’ve been to a few that it’s kind of funny, it could be a Dune Buggy. Just something a little different. So we’ll try it this year and see what happens.”  

Wenthold points out there is a poker walk where participants can receive a card at the registration booth, visit the shops and get their cards stamped. Then, those individuals draw playing cards to get the best poker hand and receive Chamber Bucks. He describes why they continue to have this additional entertainment.

“The biggest thing is getting exposure of here’s what is offered here in Jefferson for businesses. And I think it’s been a very good thing for the businesses to get that exposure and people now go, ‘Oh hey, I didn’t know this was here,’ or ‘I didn’t know this store did this.’  So it’s kind of worked out really well to have those businesses open.”

Additionally, Wenthold says the Jefferson Does will be serving pie and ice cream, along with the Greene County Cattlemen’s Association will be grilling and Jefferson Matters will serve a meal. The streets in the downtown area will be closed starting at 1pm on Thursday. Raccoon Valley Radio’s Big Red Radio will be broadcasting live from 4-6pm south of the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower.