On August 25, 2023, I journeyed from Calgary, Alberta, to Oshawa, Ontario to explore an  incredible weekend of automotive expositions. The festivities kicked off with Kars On King, serving as the prelude to the annual Autofest Nationals at Lakeview Park the following day. Hundreds of cars and thousands of spectators gathered to enjoy the spectacle that was offered on that Friday evening.

The immense scale of the Kars On King event cannot be summed up into one single photograph

This was my first time in Ontario, having only seen photos of the car scene, I thought I was prepared for the excitement. However, upon entering the event area, I was immediately struck by the sheer amount of vehicles at the event.

Classic cars and talented buskers were plentiful throughout downtown Oshawa

Cars stretched as far as the eye could see, and the streets were packed with spectators. I truly had never seen so many gathered to view automobiles on display during a single event before. At times, navigating through the bustling streets became quite a challenge due to the sheer volume of people, but it was a joyous and vibrant experience full of life.

From Swedish icons to American classics, the show was chock full of legendary automobiles

In addition to the impressive display of classic cars and spectators from all walks of life and ages, numerous buskers showcased their talents throughout the show. Even Batman made a special appearance with his iconic Batmobile. At the main intersection connecting King Street and Simcoe Street, a large stage was built for bands to entertain the crowds.

Batman came to showcase his brilliant outfit and his spectacular Batmobile

The array of classic cars on display was astonishing, like stepping into a forgotten era. Mustangs, Beetles, Chevelles, and virtually any car you could imagine were all proudly exhibited. The event was truly mind-blowing.

The cars were endless, so many in fact I almost missed entire sections during Kars On King

Kars On King served as an incredible start to the upcoming Autofest Nationals. With thousands of spectators and hundreds of classic vehicles, it was an absolute delight to be part of the event. If you reside anywhere in the vicinity of Oshawa, or like I, fancy a flight across this vast wide country of ours, I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing this remarkable spectacle.

While photographing this Pontiac hearse, a photobombing Elvis snuck into the photo and was just one of many buskers bringing life to the event

So until next time, find an epic show outside of your area and go see some new cars and meet some new people!

Kars On King even had a stage constructed to allow bands to entertain the crowd

- Kyle Hanger of Searching for Classics