There will be a number of road closures for the event on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, including portions of King St. and Bond St.
Kars on King
August 21
3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Downtown Oshawa, King St. and Simcoe St. to Memorial Park, 110 Simcoe St. S.
Hundreds of classic vehicles line downtown streets for this outdoor festival, bringing together generations of vehicle enthusiasts, vintage car clubs, and car lovers from the young to the young at heart. Tour the event footprint observing vehicles, listening to live music, exploring children's activities, enjoying delicious downtown eats, and visiting Touch a Truck at Tribute Communities Centre and the Canadian Automotive Museum.
Any event-related updates, including severe weather updates, will be shared on this page.
Durham Region Transit (DRT) will operate on a weekday schedule, however detours are scheduled due to road closures in place during Kars on King. For more information, visit Durham Region Transit.
The City of Oshawa hosts open, free public events. Photographers will be present taking photos and video footage at these events. These images may be used without further notification on City-owned and non-City-owned property, print media, digital media, the Internet, social media sites, media releases and broadcasts. By attending, you consent to such use.
Presented by Ontario Motor Sales
Main Stage
Bond St. and Simcoe St. intersection
Fabulous Tonemasters
After 15+ years of evolution, this lineup has hit its stride, serving up a tasty mix of funk, blues, and R&B that's impossible to resist. Fueled by Gerry’s obsession with killer guitar tones, The Fabulous Tonemasters deliver grooves, soul, and plenty of six-string magic. Catch them on the stage at 3:30 p.m.
Kim & Co.
For over 15 years, Kim & Company have been bringing the party to audiences across Durham Region! With a high-energy mix of soulful R&B, Motown favourites, and classic rock hits, this talented group knows how to get the crowd moving! Join them at 5:45 p.m. for this memorable performance!
The Blushing Brides
Get ready to rock with The Blushing Brides, the ultimate Rolling Stones tribute! Experience the timeless hits, raw energy, and unmistakable swagger of one of rock’s greatest bands, performed live by a group that brings the spirit of the Stones straight to the stage. They hit the stage at 7:30 p.m.!
Entertainment
Classic Car Displays
Get ready to admire some seriously stunning automobiles! From timeless classics to head-turning vintage beauties, close to 400 vehicles are bringing plenty of style, history, and horsepower to the streets. Walk King St., Simcoe St., Celina St., Ontario St. and more for your viewing pleasure!
Car Clubs
Experience the passion, history, and beauty of the automotive world as classic car clubs from across the region bring their stunning vehicles together! The Durham Region Classic Mustang Club and Corvettes of Durham proudly display their vehicles on Metcalfe St. at Kars on King!
Rhythm Works
Get ready to feel the beat! Rhythm Works brings their high-energy drumming busker show to Kars on King. Grab your sticks and meet up with Troy at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for his shows at the corner of Bruce St. and Simcoe St.!
Incirque
Incirque are back, bringing larger-than-life energy, entertainment, and plenty of fun to the crowd. Keep your eyes up, as you never know when these towering entertainers might pop up for a photo, surprise you, or get the whole crowd smiling!
Silver Elvis
Get ready to add some rock ’n’ roll excitement to your day! Catch Silver Elvis, the talented Elvis tribute busker, entertaining the crowds with his unforgettable style, energy, and spirit of the King. Look for him performing during the event at the Simcoe St. and King St. intersection!
Zipline
Come experience the thrill of the Kars on King Zipline, presented by Tribute Communities! Soar above the action, feel the rush, and make memories you’ll be talking about long after you land, located on Simcoe St. by the Canadian Automotive Museum from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Victoria Lane
Bring your game face to Victoria Lane! Head down the laneway for a fun-filled lineup of backyard games and photo opportunities for all ages. Challenge your friends and family to classic favourites, test your skills, and enjoy some friendly competition in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
Antique Car Carousel
Calling all little car lovers! Come take a fun-filled ride on the Antique Car Carousel! Climb aboard, spin around, and imagine you’re cruising in a classic car from long ago. Bring your biggest smile and get ready to ride, spin, and zoom, located near Veterans Square!
Children's Inflatables and Games
The excitement is getting bigger and bouncier! Kars on King will feature children’s inflatables and games, giving little adventurers the chance to bounce, jump, race, climb, and play to their hearts’ content. Enjoy on Celina St. south of Athol St. from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
LivingRoom Community Mobile Art Hive
Drop by the LivingRoom Art Hive at Kars on King, providing creative experiences for all ages! Get hands-on and make your own crafts while exploring your creativity in a welcoming community space. It's craft time at Veterans Square from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the LivingRoom!
Face Painting and Balloon Twisting
Add even more colour, creativity, and fun to your day! Stop by the two face painting and balloon twisting stations, located near Veterans Square, as well as the Canadian Automotive Museum from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Food, Merch, Displays
Great cars deserve great food! Whether you’re craving a quick bite, something sweet, or a full meal, there’s something for everyone. Visit one of Oshawa's mouth-watering downtown restaurants, or look for the following food vendors throughout the footprint:
- 7 Spices Pockets Inc.
- True North Lemonade Co.
- Masala Box Food Truck
- Mooo La La's Ice Cream Bus
- Smokes Poutinerie
- BradyBites Fruit Candy
- Buttercream Babe
- Fabulicious Funnel Cakes
- Shawafel Mediterranean Cuisine Inc.
- Sonya's Street Meat
- Yummilicious Kettlecorn
Take a break from the action, browse merchandise booths, and support local business by dropping by on Bond St. Vendors include:
- CraftyGoodiesNGifts
- Durham Open Studio
- Gemstones by JoJo
- Henna Yasir Art
- Just Some Local Artists
- PaPaw's Bakery
- Shop by 'Bree Beauty
Don't forget to enjoy the downtown businesses along your travels, open throughout the footprint during Kars on King!
Discover the people, businesses, and organizations that make our community special. Visit their booths to meet the community displayers, explore what they’re sharing, and show your support for the people who help make our neighbourhoods thrive. Displays include:
- Durham Region Labour Council
- Feed the Need Durham
- Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club
- Oshawa Museum
- OSCC55+
- Oshawa Tourism
- Pickering Museum Village
- Autofest Nationals
- Durham Employment and Newcomer Centre
- Lakeridge Health
Partners
99 Simcoe St. S.
Canadian Automotive Museum
Make sure to visit the Canadian Automotive Museum while you’re enjoying Kars on King! Located in the heart of Oshawa, the museum celebrates Canada’s rich automotive heritage with an impressive collection of historic vehicles and stories that bring our automotive past to life. Visit until 9 p.m. on August 21!
99 Athol St. E.
Tribute Communities Centre
During Kars on King, join Tribute Communities Centre for the 12th annual Touch-A-Truck event, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Durham. This free community event is hands-on, allowing children of all ages to get up close and personal with more than 40 vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
Vehicle registration is now closed.
Vehicle owners (the “Registrant”) interested in participating in The Corporation of the City of Oshawa’s (the “City”) Kars on King event (the “Event”) must complete the vehicle registration application form to confirm registration of their vehicle for the Event. The City will mail pre-registered Registrants a copy of the Event registration package, including a custom vehicle parking pass, which is required to participate in the Event. The following terms and conditions apply to all Registrants participating in the Event:
- In order to be eligible to register for the Event, vehicle models must be from 1991 or older.
- Registrants will be provided an information package and issued a parking access pass upon registration. The parking access pass must be displayed on the dash of the vehicle to enter the road closure for the Event.
- The parking access pass cannot be duplicated and sent to other vehicle owners, as it is specific to your vehicle.
- Vehicles without a parking access pass may not have access to the Event and may be turned away by City staff, even if the Registrant’s vehicle is registered.
- Vehicles are to be in place by 3:15 p.m. on the day of the Event and may not exit the Event until the end of the Event or 9:00 p.m. without the assistance of a City staff member; however, the City’s requests that all vehicles stay until 9:00 p.m. for the enjoyment of the guests at the Event.
- The City is not responsible for any theft or damage to any participating vehicle at the Event.
- Parking spots are provided on a “first come, first served” basis and may not be reserved. Registrants are not permitted to save spots for other vehicle owners.
- All Registrants and participants must comply with all applicable Federal, Provincial and municipal laws, rules, regulations and by-laws, as well as City policies, including, but not limited to, the City’s Respect Check Policy.
- All Registrants and participants must comply with the City’s Vehicle Idling By-law 12-2006, as amended; no idling or revving of engines of vehicles while parking, stationary or leaving the Event is permitted.
- Vehicle ignitions must be off while parked at the Event.
- No burn-outs are allowed when vehicles are entering or leaving the Event.
- Radio and/or stereos are to not be used in a loud or offensive manner. The City reserves the right to ask the Registrant or any participant to turn off any such music.
- Vehicles are not permitted to leave or move during the Event without the assistance of a City staff member.
- Vehicles may depart once City staff have been given approval by the Durham Regional Police Service and when it is safe to do so.
As a vehicle displayer at the Event, I understand that the City will be taking photos and videos during the Event for future promotional purposes and that my likeness and/or vehicle may be captured by the City. I consent to the use of such images or recordings in which they appear by the City in marketing materials, social media or on the City’s website either during or after the Event without further notification to me. I acknowledge and agree that the City may use such images or records in new marketing materials, social media or website posts after the Event to promote the Event or similar City events.
Vehicle registration is now closed.
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