The 17^th annual Main Street Memories Car Show, set in Tomahawk's historic downtown district on Memorial Day Weekend, is one the first car shows of the season and boasts expanded kids' events and a new "Bench Racing Contest," in addition to concessions, raffles, family activities and more. Spectator admission for the weekend is free and most events are also free or are at a nominal cost.

The Car Show - the main attraction - takes place on Sunday, May 29, beginning at 9:00 AM when over 300 meticulously restored hot rods, classics, vintage and muscle cars and more contend for coveted trophies and cash prizes on the ample historic streets of Tomahawk's Main Street district during the town's 125 anniversary. Car registration is $15 from 8:00 AM to Noon and limited to 300 entrants on a first-come first-served basis.

New this year is a "Bench Racing Contest" sponsored by Heritage Chevrolet where both car show participants and spectators share car bragging rights and compete for prizes in front of a live audience. A panel of local car enthusiasts and celebrities not only determine if the story is fabricated but also pick 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners. Judges include Jeff from Tomahawk's WJJQ and local car aficionados Marc Leitha and Ed Nystrom.  The Bench Racing Contest will begin about noon and trophy awards ceremony at 3:00 PM, although both are weather dependent.

Also returning on Sunday, is the Bazaar & Craft Show where dozens of local artisans and vendors color the downtown with their wares for sale.  Tomahawk Main Street will hold several raffles, including on Sunday 50/50 raffle as well as a raffle for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place prizes from a local artist's coveted car renderings in oil on refurbished saw blades.

On Saturday, at the "Memories" Kick-Off Reception, raffles will also be held. For the whole family, returning this year is Fantasy Corral Petting Zoo, Sue the Balloon Lady, DJ Brown and his Cruisin' Sounds as well as more than a dozen local non-profits selling concessions such as the Tomahawk Lion's Club selling self-acclaimed "the best burgers, brats, and hot dogs in town" near the police station. Local organizations and vendors such as Hawaii Delights, BB Thai Kitchen, Pizza on Wheels, Tomahawk Optimist Club and the Tomahawk Fire Department will sell a wide variety of offerings from cheese curds to crab Rangoon's to pulled pork sandwiches and confections of all kinds.

On Saturday, kids' events take place in downtown on West Wisconsin Avenue and 3^rd Street from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM and include hands-on Build-A-Truck for the first 30 kids aged 4 to 7. New this year, kids can have their photo taken in a face cut-out of a pint-sized Model "A" created by local artist Natalie Watland or view and visit with car owners from Northwoods Pride & Joy Cruisers car club.  Also, Nelson's County Market sponsors a Race Car Cake Walk hosted by Tomahawk United Methodist Church.  The church will also sell root beer floats and offer kids a chance to decorate race car sugar cookies. Non-profit T.R.A.I.N. which benefits local pets will sell ice cream cones and cotton candy. The Skateboard competition in Pride Park has been cancelled.

Also new this year is Nelson's Coloring Contest, featuring artwork by Watland which depicts a whimsical view of expanded kids' activities both Saturday and Sunday.  The coloring contest cartoon can be found at Nelson's County Market, at Ike's Café in Tomahawk as well as McDonald's in Tomahawk and will be printed in the May 24 issue of the Tomahawk Leader. Kids' entries must be completed and returned to Nelson's County Market, 662 North 4^th Street, Tomahawk by Friday, June 3 to qualify and children up to age 14 can participate. Prizes by Nelson's County Market will be awarded in several age categories.

At 4:00 PM on Saturday, Northwoods Pride & Joy Cruisers will host a "Memories" kick-off reception, sponsored by Northern Action Magazine. Car collectors and enthusiast are invited to attend Rodeo Saloon & Grill, 22 West Wisconsin, for music by a local karaoke DJ, raffles with over $2000 in great prizes from local business will be awarded and a special slide show showing the last 16 years of memories from Main Street Memories Car Show will be shown. No cover charge.

Main Street Memories Car Show is produced by Tomahawk Main Street which is community supported through many generous volunteer hours and through support by over 100 businesses and organizations such as Heritage Chevrolet , Wisconsin Chevy Dealers, TAFFY, the Tomahawk STAR Foundation and Nelson's County Market.  During Veteran's Memorial Bridge reconstruction, when driving on Highway 51, take exit 225 Northbound and exit 229 Southbound. For more information please call 715-453-1090.