Whether it’s vintage Ford Model A’s or new Chevrolet Camaros, the 2024 Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In will have something for car fans and “gearheads” alike, said event organizer Rakes Parrish.
The indoor and outdoor, family-friendly event will take place Friday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, July 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dalton Convention Center at 2211 Tony Ingle Parkway.
Tickets are $15 on Friday and $10 on Saturday. Children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Pets are allowed in the outside portion of the event, but not inside, said Parrish.
Parking will be available at the convention center and is free. If necessary, overflow parking will be available at the nearby Dalton State College tennis courts with a shuttle service going to and from the event.
The event is expected to feature hundreds of “spectacular” cars and more than 75 automotive and craft vendors, as well as a swap meet.
“We’ve got participants coming from all parts of the country, so we’ll be representing quite a few states,” Parrish said. “There will be outdoor cars and then more extreme (car) builds inside.”
Parrish said spectators will also be able to see tractors, motorcycles, hot rods and classic cars such as a 1955 Chevrolet wagon and an old moonshine runner that was converted into a race car driven by Rome drag racer Quincy “Bunky” Bobo in the 1960s.
“We’ve also got things for the ladies inside,” Parrish said. “There will be several booths, vendors and crafts with items for sale such as Yeti-style cups, jewelry and a boutique that will be selling different types of clothing for ladies.”
A pair of local racing legends will attend, said Parrish: Jody Ridley, a former NASCAR driver from Chatsworth, and Linda Vaughn, a Dalton native known as “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter” and “The First Lady of Motorsports.”
“Both Linda and Jody will be available for meet-and-greets, autographs and pictures,” said Parrish.
The event will feature a concert Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 9. The opening act will be OTIS, a Southern rock band out of Kentucky that specializes in a mix of classic rock and heavy blues. The headlining act will be Southern rock band The Kentucky HeadHunters.
“Whether you come for the show or you just come that evening for the concert, it will be $15 all around on Friday,” Parrish said.
While there is something to enjoy for all ages, Parrish said there will be moonshine displays for adults 21 and older.
“Dalton Distillery will be there with moonshine samples and it will also be available for purchase,” he said.
Other vendors and featured guests include from Carpets of Dalton, with carpet samples and furniture displays, and representatives from O’Reilly Auto Parts’ corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, said Parrish.
“There will also be a vendor selling performance engines,” he said.
While parking is free, Parrish said the Dalton Shrine Club will be at the event accepting donations.
“We are raising money for the Shriners and we’d like for people to donate a dollar or two if they can,” he said. “They’re a big help. Our first year (in Dalton), we raised $28,000 for the Shriners. That’s a good cause it goes to.”
This year marks the third year the event will take place in Dalton. From 2010 to 2021, the Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In was in Hiawassee.
“The Dalton Convention Center has really made it nice for us,” Parrish said. “Dalton’s behind us and we appreciate what the city’s doing. Margaret Thigpen (the director of tourism for the Dalton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Dalton Convention Center) is really helping us a lot.”
Parrish said he is “looking forward” to a big turnout.
“Ideally, we’d like to see 5,000 spectators,” he said. “We’re excited.”