Cruces Car Show Fiesta returns

Some people come for the cars. Others come for the music. Plenty never spend much time looking under the hood. 

That’s exactly how Jeff Jansen wants it. 

For the past five years, the organizer behind 575Cars has worked to build events that reach beyond the local car community. The upcoming Cruces Car Show Fiesta will combine hundreds of show vehicles with live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and local businesses in an effort to create a day that appeals to the entire community. 

“It’s my attitude that you have to have a bunch of other components,” Jansen said. “To make it really a community event that people want to come to.” 

The free event features trophies awarded across multiple classes, including classic cars, muscle cars, imports, trucks and lowriders. While the vehicles remain the centerpiece, this year’s event expands beyond the parking lot. Ballet Folklórico Corazón de Las Cruces will open the morning with a traditional dance performance, followed by live music throughout the day. Returning attractions include the Kids Corner, scavenger hunts, food trucks, merchandise vendors and appearances by the Transformers. Organizers will also welcome automotive content creator “The Wizard,” who recently opened a shop in Las Cruces. 

Jansen said those additions are intentional. 

“We get a lot of people that come to the show, not necessarily because they’re car enthusiasts,” he said. “There’s so many other things to do there.” 

That broader approach has helped the events grow. Earlier this year, Spring Fest Showdown attracted more than 260 vehicles and over 1,000 spectators, marking the largest turnout since 575Cars partnered with Sisbarro GMC to host the events. Although no advance registration is required, Jansen said attendance has remained consistent because families know what to expect. 

That philosophy extends into the Kids Corner, where children can take part in games, face painting, scavenger hunts, and other activities throughout the day. Jansen said every child leaves with a prize or small keepsake, giving families another reason to spend the day together. 

“It’s all free — how can you not have a good time?” he said. “We’ve tried to make these really a community event.”  

Behind the scenes, months of preparation go into making that happen. Jansen begins planning each show well in advance, working alongside a longtime volunteer crew and his daughter, who designs the event’s promotional graphics. Sisbarro GMC provides the venue and serves as the event’s primary sponsor. 

For Jansen, however, the most rewarding part isn’t watching trophies being handed out or seeing another row of polished classics fill out the lot. Instead, it’s a moment he sees nearly every year. 

“The photo I always think about is parents walking through the event holding hands with their young kids,” he said. “That’s really what it’s all about.” 

Cruces Car Show Fiesta will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Sisbarro GMC, 425 W. Boutz Road. Admission and vehicle registration are free. More information is available at 575cars.com.