Cruisin’ Southern Style turns 20: Marksville car show aims to top $1 million for St. Jude

Cruisin’ Southern Style will celebrate its 20th year Nov. 20–21 at Paragon Casino Resort, with organizers hoping the anniversary event will push the show’s cumulative donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital beyond $1 million.

The two-day gathering will feature custom vehicles, automotive television personalities, vendors, a live auction and an awards program. Spectator admission is free.

Organizers report the show has donated more than $900,000 to St. Jude over the years, including $170,000 from the 2025 event. This year’s gathering will also include a toy collection organized by Aymond’s Automotive Specialty to help children in foster care.

Activities begin Friday, Nov. 20, with a pre-opening Show and Shine from noon to 5 p.m. A VIP Celebrity Dinner and Cocktail Hour is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Ticket information is available through the event website.

The main car show will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Vehicle owners may register at the gate upon arrival.

Judging will begin when the gates open at 9 a.m. Organizers plan to present more than 100 awards across the show’s vehicle classes.

Parking spaces will not be reserved. Participants who want to park together as a group should arrive together, organizers said.

The announced guest lineup includes Javier “Shorty” Ponce; Ryan Evans, Horny Mike and Ghetto Bob of Count’s Kustoms; Alex Taylor of “Hot Rod Garage” and Alex Taylor Racing; and Dennis Taylor of Hot Rods by Dennis Taylor.

Vendor booths will be located along the front perimeter of the main parking lot. A 50/50 drawing is also planned.

A live auction and awards show will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Belazaire Ballroom inside Paragon Casino Resort. Doors open at 3 p.m., and seating will be available on a first-come basis.

The auction will feature donated items, followed by the presentation of vehicle awards. A cash bar will be available. Organizers said the auction accounted for a substantial portion of the money raised for St. Jude during last year’s event.

Toy drive planned Saturday

Aymond’s Automotive Specialty will collect new, unopened toys during the car show Saturday, Nov. 21, with the goal of filling the beds of its classic trucks.

The toy drive is being promoted in partnership with Fostering Community to provide Christmas gifts for local children placed in foster care. Those attending the show are encouraged to bring a toy donation.

The collection adds a local holiday effort to the car show’s ongoing fundraising for St. Jude.

Paragon Casino Resort is at 711 Paragon Place in Marksville. For the event schedule, VIP dinner information and lodging details, visit cruisinsouthernstylela.com. Questions may also be emailed to southernstylecruisers@gmail.com.

From the November 4, 2026, edition of The Avoyelles Journal.