DECATUR - Classic cars will invade downtown Decatur on Thursday when the 16th edition of Cruisin' Downtown takes place in Central Park.

Organizers are expecting more than 500 cars to be on display when the show opens at 11 a.m. The show closes at 11 p.m.

One of the cars on display will belong to Kurt Atkinson, 53, who has watched the show grow over the years. Atkinson brings his blue and white 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88 to the show every year. He has had the car for 20 years after buying it in Mount Zion on the recommendation of a friend.

"It resembles a car my aunt and uncle used to have," Atkinson said.

Atkinson travels to other car shows in Illinois when time permits. He has been participating in the car shows since the early 1980s, becoming friends with many people participating in the show.

Atkinson is looking forward that aspect of the show, planning to stay all day. "Last year I couldn't sleep afterward because I had so much fun," Atkinson said.

But there will be more than cars on display. Besides a selection of food vendors, Daylyn Wells, executive director of City Centre Decatur, said there will be two stages for entertainment. X Krush will play on the Main Street stage and Kavan, billed as "The World's Number 1 Rock and Roll Elvis," will be on the Central Park stage.

Barb Beasley, chairwoman of the Cruisin' Downtown Committee, has been a part of the event committee for the past 16 years, and still enjoys watching the crowd just as much as looking at the cars.

"Generations just disappear," she said. "You can find a 16-year-old talking to an 85-year-old like they are best friends."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Cruisin' Downtown

WHEN: From 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Downtown Decatur's Central Park.

COST: A $10 entry fee per car; but free to spectators

INFORMATION: www.downtowndecatur.com

Kristy Mellendorf can be reached at kmellendorf@herald-review.com or 421-6977.