For the second time in less than a decade, one of downtown Jamestown’s tentpole events finds itself on the brink of extinction.

It was certainly news to many that the CHQ Chamber, which itself rescued the Downtown Jamestown Cruise-In back in 2017, is looking for an organization willing to take on the annual downtown car show.

The cruise-in isn’t an easy event to put on. It takes a ton of volunteers to manage and plenty of planning. The noise can be an issue for some who live downtown – though plenty of others enjoy the activity. But for more than two decades the annual August event has been a staple for thousands of car enthusiasts and their families while bringing an influx of people into downtown that is rivaled only by the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.

In our opinion, the cruise-in has already figured out the most crucial piece of a downtown event – how to generate a crowd. It’s never monetized itself very well, but it’s an evening filled with cars, music and fun that brings a ton of people downtown for a few hours.

Downtown Jamestown has gotten lucky that Collaborative Children’s Solutions has stepped up to carry on some of downtown’s other tentpole events like the annual holiday parade, turning the Chadakoin River green for St. Patrick’s Day, the Memorial Day Parade and the city’s Labor Day Festival. The non-profit organization is carrying on the tradition started by the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation while putting a new spin on downtown events by adding things like Christmas in July at Diethrick Park, its Prom Dress Giveaway and events in partnership with Harrison’s Playmakers.

If the Downtown Jamestown Cruise-in’s time has come, so be it. In our opinion, it’s an event that should live on. We hope the community doesn’t let this longtime event fall by the wayside.