Cruise on in to Jim’s May 19

DALTON  What has become one of the biggest events in Dalton is returning this weekend.

Last month, Michel Madison said people already had been asking her and her husband, Jim, about their annual cruise-in and Jeep show and they’re keeping their fingers crossed for pleasant weather like they’ve enjoyed previous years.

Jim’s Automotive Repair and Transmission hosts its annual car show 5-8 p.m. May 19 at 83 S Cochran St., Dalton.

This year, all proceeds benefit the Dalton Local Schools Music Booster Club. Everything is by donation only and registration is not required. Anyone is welcome to bring their cars and Jeeps to be part of the show, and vehicle enthusiasts are welcome to park their cars across the street and walk over for food, music, baked goods, balloon artist and more.

“We like to give back to the community and it’s also nice to just in addition to raising money for the schools it also gets people from the community together visiting, hanging out and enjoying life together,” Madison said.

For more than 20 years, Jim’s Auto Repair has been fixing area automobiles and the family has been giving back to the community through various sponsorships of teams and events and especially school activities.

“We are well on our way to 20 more good years,” Michel Madison said.

Dalton Music Boosters have benefitted in the past and they also will have a bake sale at the event.

“We always like to help the different local organizations of our community, especially ones associated with the schools,” Madison said. “We like to support the kids in the community. They’re our future generation. That’s what’s going to keep Dalton great.”

The Madisons hosted the car show when Dalton used to have Days in the Park. The auto repair shop then hosted its own cruise-in in its parking lot and popularity grew. The show took a break at the height of the pandemic and then returned last year and welcomed about 50 vehicles.

“It’s fun to have both the cars and the Jeeps,” Michel Madison said. “It’s a wide array of things.”

A local band that includes recent Dalton graduates will play oldies tunes for part of the event, and a balloon artist will make balloon creations for children.

The Madisons have four young grandchildren and they’re already starting to show interest in the garage and working on projects. She expects the family tradition of serving local residents will continue for years to come.

“He’s looking forward to having lots of bonding time with them over old cars,” Michel said about her husband.

She said 3-year-old Asher especially “already has been bit by the bug.”

As car shows gear up in the area, Jim’s presents a friendly laidback show to kick off cruise-in season.

“The weather’s starting to get nice and it’s a nice time for people in the community to get back out and just enjoy community, enjoy old cars, enjoy old music and always enjoy good food,” she said.