Classic cars, custom trucks, motorcycles and community spirit filled Mansfield on Friday evening as residents and visitors gathered for the Mansfield MADE and SONIC Car Show & Cruise, creating what many described as one of the most memorable nights the town has experienced in years.
Long before the official start time, excitement was already building. People began arriving as early as 2:30 p.m. to secure parking spots, browse vendors and prepare for an evening centered around hometown pride, fellowship and family fun. By the time the event officially got underway, the streets surrounding downtown Mansfield were packed with spectators, participants and visitors from across the region. Many attendees parked blocks away and walked into town to be part of the festivities.
Hosted through a partnership between Mansfield MADE — the Mansfield Alliance for Development and Economics — and the Mansfield SONIC Drive-In, the event transformed downtown into a vibrant gathering place reminiscent of a bygone era when Friday nights meant cruising town, parking with friends and spending the evening on Main Street.
From restored classics and muscle cars to lifted trucks, motorcycles and specialty vehicles, attendees had the opportunity to admire dozens of entries while visiting with owners and fellow automotive enthusiasts. The event also featured a large vendor area filled with food trucks, boutiques, community organizations and local businesses. Vendor lines remained steady throughout the evening as visitors enjoyed everything from barbecue and sweet treats to handmade goods and local merchandise.
Children could be seen smiling from ear to ear as they posed for photos beside their favorite vehicles, while parents and grandparents shared stories of car shows and cruises from years gone by. For many, the evening became more than just a car show — it became a chance to create the same memories previous generations experienced growing up in Mansfield.
The turnout exceeded expectations, with vehicles and spectators filling the downtown area and parking extending several blocks from the center of town. As darkness approached, the energy only continued to grow.
One of the most emotional moments of the evening centered around the presentation of the Donald “Duck” Williams Award, sponsored by Duck’s Body Shop. Williams, a longtime community member and automotive enthusiast, was remembered through a special award presented by his daughter, Sheila Williams.
In a heartfelt social media post following the event, Sheila shared the deeply personal story behind the award.
“When we heard there was going to be a car show in Mansfield, we knew we wanted to be a part of it in some way, knowing Daddy would have been all about it,” she wrote.
After sponsoring the event, Sheila was contacted and asked if she would be willing to present an award in her father’s memory.
“Needless to say there was complete silence on the phone as I completely lost it,” she recalled. “When I regrouped myself, I said I would be so honored to do so.”
As part of the sponsorship, the family was invited to select a vehicle to receive the Donald Williams Award. Sheila’s husband, Mike, spent the evening looking over the entries before settling on one particular vehicle. When he showed Sheila his choice, another emotional moment unfolded.
The vehicle carried a “Plowboys” tag on the front — the same car club Williams had once belonged to.
“No doubt this was our winner,” Sheila said.
Later, while looking through photographs from the event, she discovered yet another meaningful connection. The selected vehicle had been parked just across the street from their booth all evening.
“My Daddy was there in spirit,” she wrote.
She also reflected on how special it was to see Mansfield hosting another major car show, noting that the last community car show had been held in 2019. Adding to the significance, one of the vehicles present Friday night had previously been admired by her father during that earlier event.
The tribute served as a powerful reminder that while the evening celebrated automobiles, it was ultimately about people, memories and community.
As the sun began to set, spectators lined both sides of the streets awaiting the evening cruise. Engines roared to life as participants made their way through town while hundreds of residents watched from sidewalks, parking lots and lawn chairs. Many longtime residents remarked that the scene felt like stepping back in time to Mansfield’s cruising days, when Friday nights brought the community together in much the same way.
The event also served as the grand opening celebration for Trendy’s BBQ, which quickly became one of the busiest stops of the evening. Long lines formed throughout the night as attendees stopped by to support the new business while enjoying food and fellowship.
Award Winners
• First Place Overall, sponsored by Trendy’s Roll Off — Jody Morgan with his 1970 Chevy Chevelle
• Second Place Overall, sponsored by Willsey’s Outlaw Dragstrip — Donnie and Tawana Williams with their 1968 Oldsmobile 442
• Third Place Overall, sponsored by Krigbaum Farms — T.J. Pacey with his 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
• People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Resident News Network — Colter Hunsucker with his 1962 Chevy Nova
• Participant’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Cottrell Family — Lee Miller with his 1969 Chevy C-10
• Car Award sponsored by Mansfield SONIC — Dennis Cole with his 1967 Chevy Chevelle SS
• Donald “Duck” Williams Award, sponsored by Duck’s Body Shop — Dennis Cole with his 1967 Chevy Chevelle SS
• SONIC Award, sponsored by Jason Daggs for Scott County Sheriff — Gary Martin with his 1956 CJ-5 Willys Jeep
• Truck Award, sponsored by Trendy’s BBQ — Robin Spears with his 1986 Chevy C-10
• Jeep Award, sponsored by Chiquitita Garden, Goats & Co. — Kim Shepherd with her 2005 Jeep Wrangler
• Themed Vehicle Award, sponsored by The Micro Dairy — Nikki Thomas with her 2014 Jeep Wrangler
• Sweetest Ride Award, sponsored by District 5 by Anderton — Graeson Bowen with his 1970 Chevrolet Blazer
• Veteran’s Award, sponsored by Scott County Judge Brian Jones — Tracy Hooper with his 1957 Chevy 3100
• Corvette Award, sponsored by West Fraser — Ronnie Silvey
• Rat Rod Award, sponsored by Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores — Kim and Eddy Goines with their 1932 Ford Roadster
• Muscle Car Award, sponsored by Bill White Ford — Roger Taylor with his 1967 Pontiac Firebird
• Mayor’s Choice Award, sponsored by Burns Mini Storage — Danny Heydenreich with his 1951 Chevy Pickup
• Best Paint Award, sponsored by 2Winns — Bill Stamps with his 1939 Chevy Master Deluxe
• Mansfield MADE Choice Award, sponsored by Sheri Thompson for Scott County Assessor — Carla Silvey with her 1953 Pickup
• Best Interior Award, sponsored by Kinsey’s Cutting Edge Lawn Care — Vernon Driver with his 1969 Chevy Chevelle
• Camaro Award and Kid’s Choice Award, sponsored by Boyd Farmer for Mayor and John Eigsti for Scott County Judge — Marty Wilson with his 1971 Chevy Camaro
• Motorcycle Award, presented in memory of Jerome Dixon — Emmitt Athey
• Most Unique Award, sponsored by Willsey’s Chicken Creek Village — Marcus Willsey with his 2005 Chevy SSR
• Most Traveled Award, sponsored by Quick Time Automotive — Leo Mendoza with his 1970 Chevy Chevelle
• Oldest Vehicle Award, sponsored by Thumper’s Automotive — Dwight and Jeanette Taylor with their 1929 Chevrolet Four-Door Sedan
• Low Rider Award, sponsored by Christ Church of Mansfield — Eddy and Kim Goines with their 1968 Chevy C-10
Participants also selected Trendy’s BBQ as the Vendor’s Choice Award winner, recognizing the business for its outstanding presence during the event and helping celebrate its grand opening.
In addition, Nikolle Dixon and Travis Pettus were selected by event participants as Ms. Mansfield and Mr. Mansfield.
Throughout the evening, organizers emphasized that one of the primary goals of Mansfield MADE is to create opportunities that bring people together while supporting local businesses and encouraging economic growth.
“This is exactly what Mansfield MADE hopes to continue building,” organizers said. “Seeing families together, local businesses involved and people supporting one another makes all the hard work worth it.”
The success of the event was made possible through the support of sponsors, volunteers, vehicle owners, vendors and community members who attended.
As the final vehicles completed the cruise and conversations continued well into the night, one thing became clear: Mansfield had experienced something special. For a few hours, the town felt alive in a way many residents had not seen in years — filled with laughter, friendship, memories and a renewed sense of community.
The awards reflected not only the quality of the vehicles on display but also the stories behind them. From the heartfelt presentation of the Donald “Duck” Williams Award to the community-voted honors and vehicle competitions, the evening celebrated the people, memories and traditions that continue to make Mansfield a special place to call home.
Following the overwhelming turnout and positive response, organizers say they hope the Mansfield MADE and SONIC Car Show & Cruise will continue to grow and become a lasting annual tradition for generations to come.
To access all the photos taken by RNN’s Joey Bolin with Joey Bolin Photography <click here>. You can also purchase print rights through him!
