Shots from a Cruise last summer. CURRENT PHOTO/GREY COLLINS

By: Olivia Cafarelli Manzi

Marblehead Cruise In, the area’s up and coming car show, is returning for its fourth year — and organizers say it will be bigger and better than ever.

What started as a birthday celebration has turned into a summer tradition. Four years ago, Nick Parente organized the first Cruise In to celebrate his friend Tucker Beatty. The event was such a hit that the two now co-host the event each year. Since then, it has steadily grown in popularity and now draws car lovers from across Massachusetts — and even as far away as Maine.

The Cruise In will kick off May 13 and be held the second Tuesday of each month through October.

“It just continues to grow from word-of-mouth,” said Parente. “It’s been good to just be able to bring some people together.”

Unlike many car shows that focus on specific makes or models, the Marblehead Cruise In is open to all vehicles.

“We’ve had a brand new Ferrari sitting next to a 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet,” said Parente. “We encourage people to bring whatever they have. As long as you love it, it’s worth it to be in the show, and there’s nothing that will be frowned upon from showing up.”

Parente said the community that forms around the event is just as important as the cars themselves.

“The cars bring people together, but it’s the people that make them stick around,” said Parente. “Being able to meet so many new faces and learn about their cars is invaluable.”

This year, the event will move from Riverside Beahc to Devereux Beach through a new partnership with the Marblehead Recreation and Parks Department.

The new location will offer visitors the chance to enjoy summer snacks or ice cream from the Neck Run Cafe while they check out the cars and take in the view.

To display your car, visit mhdcuisein.com and fill out a required form.

Olivia Cafarelli Manzi is a student at Endicott College studying journalism. This article was written by Cafarelli Manzi for the Massachusetts News Service of Endicott College.

This article was updated on April 30 with the correct date of the first MHD Cruise In, May 13.