MARSHALL — One of the sights of the early summer in Marshall is seeing classic cars cruise through town with the Shades of the Past car club. But this spring, club members decided they wanted to add something new. On Thursday, the cars, trucks and motorcycles will be sticking around on Main Street as part of a new Downtown Roll-In.

“We thought it would be a good to have an event downtown and help out local businesses,” said Chad Weyh, one of the main roll-in organizers.

Main Street in Marshall will be closed off Thursday afternoon so participants can park their vehicles downtown. Music, family-friendly events and specials at downtown businesses will help round out the event, and Weyh said organizers hope community members come to check it all out.

“It’s more of a casual event” compared to the annual Shades of the Past car show, Weyh said. Vehicle registration is free for roll-in participants, and there aren’t formal judging events like at the car show. The event is also free for the public to attend. “People can come down, hang out and look at the other cars.”

Part of the fun will also include family-friendly games and events, Weyh said. There will be a live D.J., a vendor truck, “And we will probably have some face-painting going on,” he said. The local chapter of Ducks Unlimited plans to have a plinko game, and local Boy Scouts have organized a beanbag tournament that will take place starting at 4 p.m. during the roll-in, he said.

Planning for the roll-in began last fall, Weyh said. Other communities have had successful roll-in events, like the popular roll-ins at the Roadhouse Bar and Grill in Wabasso. Shades of the Past members supported the idea of holding a roll-in in Marshall in the spring.

“We thought it would be a great time. People would want to be out of the house,” Weyh said.

The roll-in got approval from the city of Marshall, and the city helped the club apply for a permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation to temporarily close part of Main Street.

The roll-in was made possible with the help of the Downtown Business Association, and a community support grant from Visit Marshall, Weyh said.

“This is an awesome way to bring visitors into town,” said Adri DeBoer communications coordinator for Visit Marshall. The roll-in will also be a good opening event for the spring and summer months, she said.

“Everyone we’ve talked to has been excited,” Weyh said.

After COVID-19 canceled many local celebrations and events in 2020, DeBoer said, it will be good to see more of a return to having some normal summer events.

“We can’t wait to see everyone out and about,” DeBoer said.