Hot rods, muscle cars, low riders and tricked-out trucks. These are just some of the more than 300 rigs that will line the streets of downtown Renton Sunday. The occasion? The Return to Renton 2008 18th Annual Benefit Car Show and Cruise.

The show got its start in 1990 at Holiday Inn. A variety of venues have since played host, including Carco Park, Renton High School and Renton Memorial Stadium. But this is the first year the show will be smack downtown.

Return to Renton committee members are excited about the change.

“We’ve always thought it would be a good idea to move downtown,” says committee member Ryan Runge.

Area car owners apparently feel the same. Return to Renton co-chair Jim Medzegian says pre-registration for the show is up by at least 50 percent.

“My No. 1 concern is what happens when we fill up the six blocks,” Medzegian says.

Not a bad problem, especially since the extra registration money will help cover added expenses stemming from the downtown venue. All proceeds from the show go to the Renton Police Department Youth Programs, which include an after-school reading club, a basketball hoop shoot, a mentoring program and scholarships for Leadership Camp.

Most Return to Renton cars will come from Renton. But others are expected from places like Gig Harbor, Issaquah, Puyallup and Seattle.

This year’s competing cars will fill about six blocks of downtown’s street, plus a couple overflow parking lots. The cars will line South Third Street from Morris Avenue South on the west to Williams Avenue South on the east. Cars will also fill stretches of Logan Avenue South and Burnett Avenue South.

All these streets will be closed. That’s why this year’s show is on Sunday, instead of

the traditional Saturday.

The downtown venue means some restrictions. There won’t be any slow drags or cruising of the The Loop. At least not an organized cruise like past years. (The Loop, formally The Renton Loop, is a circle of downtown streets that was once a popular cruising destination.)

Food will also be more limited at Sunday’s Return to Renton. The usual ice cream, roasted corn, shaved ice and caramel corn will be on site, but not meatier things like barbecue.

Instead, participants and attendees will receive a coupon book good at downtown eateries.

Despite some changes, Return to Renton will also host some familiar attractions. Last year’s kid’s booth is returning, along with more than 30 vendors. Plus an art show sponsored by Arts Unlimited of Renton.

An assortment of goodies will be raffled at the show, and a slew of events are scheduled before the 3 p.m. awards presentation.

The show will feature performances by Spotlight Dance Studio and the University of Washington Husky Cheer Squad, plus a snippet from Carco Theatre’s Summer Teen Musical, “Once Upon A Mattress.” A DJ will spin ‘50s and ‘60s tunes throughout the day.

A couple thousand people flocked to Renton Memorial Stadium to marvel at last year’s Return to Renton cars. Committee members are betting this year will bring even more revelers.

“It used to be like a destination thing,” Medzegian says. “If we held it over at Renton Memorial Stadium, it’s basically people interested in cars. But (this year) in addition we’re going to get ... people who come downtown to shop, to see what’s going on. I think we’re going to get a much larger cross-section of people.”

These people will come to see who takes home the 28 big prizes. Several awards honor a chosen car from each decade, from the 1930s and earlier to the 1980s and later. Other awards include “Trickiest Truck,” “Classy Cruiser,” and “Whata Hot Rod!” A couple awards also honor favorite motorcycles, both American and Metric.

This year’s awards were trimmed from last year’s 40, and some awards renamed.

“The general comment was there was too many trophies,” Medzegian says.

Gordy Runge’s 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS (for super sport) two-door hardtop took Tip-Top Ride last year. That award was cut this year. But the 54-year-old Fairwood resident is hoping to take another award this year.

“Not a specific category, just maybe I’ll get one where someone appreciates it,” he says.

Runge competes in six to eight car shows a year. This will be his fifth or sixth Return to Renton. A couple car club friends will join him.

“It’s always good,” Runge says of Return to Renton. “The vendors are good, the food is good. All in all it’s a good show.”

Return to Renton’s committee members have been working all year to make sure Sunday’s show is a good one.

“We all think it’s going to be a success,” says committee member Jeff Reynolds. “We’ve worked really hard all year. We think it’s going to be the best show yet.”

Emily Garland can be reached at emily.garland@reporternewspapers.com or (425) 255-3484, ext. 5052.

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