AUBURN — It’s the “Year of the Speedster” as the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival returns to Auburn for the 62nd year, and this year brings some exciting changes.

Each year, thousands of car enthusiasts from around the world flock to Auburn to show off their own classic cars and admire others, but this year festival organizers are hoping to expand it to an even bigger crowd.

New this year is a free concert featuring Addison Agen on Saturday night. After the concert, people can gather for the Glow Up the Plaza glow party.

Festival executive director Amber Jackson said she hopes the additions will bring in a younger and more diverse crowd, while still offering the history and tradition involved with the ACD Festival.

The mission of the whole festival is to celebrate and promote automobile heritage in the city where art and automobiles converge.

Each year, the festival falls on the week before labor day, leading into and through the holiday weekend. Preliminary activities started at the beginning of the week, but the official start of the festival is Thursday with a kickoff luncheon.

One of the highlights of the festival is the ACD Museum Extravaganza on Thursday. The benefit event allows people to get inside the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum for food, drinks, and silent and live auctions. The event raises money for educational programs through the museum.

Another popular activity is the free Pancake Breakfast on Friday morning, as participants and observers come together for food and camaraderie.

Activities continue all day Friday for the Downtown Cruise-In. Downtown streets shut down as hundreds of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, imports, exotic cars, and more are on display to look at for free.

One of the biggest events of the festival falls on Saturday as thousands gather for the Parade of Classics. ACD Club members from around the world drive their classic cars through the streets of Auburn for all to see. This year’s parade starts at 1 p.m. After the parade people can get an up-close look at the cars and talk to the owners as they park around the Courthouse Square.

One of the last main events comes Saturday night with the annual Fast and Fabulous Fireworks show in downtown Auburn.

Several other events are scheduled throughout the end of the week and through Sunday. For a full schedule and more information, click here.

Source: WANE