Classic cars, classic rock coming to downtown Wooster

Buckle up. It’s time for Main Street Wooster’s August concert and cruise-in on Friday, Aug. 15 from 6:30-9 p.m. The free evening will pair classic vehicles with classic rock.

There are no requirements for participation, and no registration is needed. Roads downtown will close at 5:30 p.m., and participating vehicles may start parking at that time. East Liberty from the intersection of Bever Street to the West Liberty/Grant Street intersection will be closed. North Walnut to South Walnut will be closed. North Market, from the North Street intersection to South Market at the South Street intersection, will be closed. North Buckeye by Gionino’s to the South Buckeye lot will be closed.

It’s not only cars that make an appearance at the cruise-ins. There have been drag cars, an old semitruck and even an Ohio State Trooper Camaro.

Forrest Lang has been bringing a tractor to the Wooster cruise-in since 2022. While the Wayne County resident can’t trailer the tractor to take it to other cruise-ins, the 1966 McCormick Farmall 806 Hi-Clear Tractor has been to the Wooster Memorial Parade, the Fredericksburg Fourth of July Parade, the Johnny Appleseed Festival Parade and the Wayne County Fair.

The tractor originally belonged to Lang’s uncle, who was an avid Farmall/International Harvester tractor collector. Lang said when his uncle passed away in 2011, most of his tractors were sold outside of the family. In 2016 he purchased the ’66 back. Even though it had been sitting outside for five years, it started right up with a battery and fresh fuel.

During college Lang tracked down needed parts, and with the help of a friend, it was ultimately restored and repainted. Finished a couple of months before his wedding, it was on display at the event.

“While it doesn’t get used a lot for farming,” he said, “I greatly enjoy maintaining it and taking it to events in the community.”

Lang loves sharing the story of his tractor’s history with anyone who asks. More than that, he likes to hear from people who knew his Uncle Kyle.

“I was pretty young when he passed, so hearing stories of how he impacted people’s lives or how they knew him is very meaningful,” Lang said.

Kids and adults alike can climb up, sit on the tractor and take a photo.

“Many people can’t believe how tall it is,” Lang said. “And they love looking out over top of all the other vehicles at the event.”

The Hey Chicky, Good Chicky food truck will be on hand for the event. Live music by SB Music will begin at 6:30 p.m. The group is a classic rock band based in Wooster that performs mostly ‘70s and ‘80s rock.

Roads will reopen promptly at 9:30 p.m. All cars must be parked legally at that time.

“We are thankful for our sponsors Meaden & Moore, as well as Simonson Construction Services. Without their support the event would not be possible,” Main Street Wooster’s Kerri Manley said. “The (cruise-in) isn’t just a big meeting of folks with old cars; it’s a great event that has something for everyone. From watching cars arrive and leave to listening to live music and enjoying some great food and drinks from the amazing stores downtown, there are always new vehicles to check out, so it is never the same as one you may have gone to before.”