The Mead Motorheads Memorial Day Car Show: A Guide to Monday's Tradition in Mead, Colorado
Memorial Day Monday turns Mead's Main Street over to the chrome — here's what to expect, where to park, and a little background on the volunteers who've been pulling it off for more than twenty years.
By Laura Owen
One of the Few Days a Year Main Street Belongs to the Classics
Memorial Day Monday lands on May 25 this year, and in Mead, Colorado that means one thing: classic cars lined up along Palmer, Martin, and Main, kids on shoulders, somebody's grandfather pointing at a '67 Camaro and telling a story. The Mead Motorheads Memorial Day Car Show is back at Mead Town Park, and if you're new to town or just want to know what to expect before you head over, here's the plain version.
When and Where
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, May 25, at Mead Town Park, 441 Third Street. Admission is free. There's no ticketing and no pre-registration for spectators — just walk up and join the crowd. The cars start rolling in earlier in the morning, so by the time the show officially opens the park is already humming.
What to Expect on the Ground
It is, at its core, a classic car show — muscle cars, hot rods, lowriders, and a handful of newer custom builds. Owners stand by their cars and will talk to anyone who asks. Beyond the cars themselves, the Mead Motorheads bring in music, food vendors, and a small run of community tables. It feels like a town festival that happens to be organized around chrome and engines.
A few practical things worth knowing:
It is dog-friendly, but keep them on a leash and out of the sun — Memorial Day weekend in Mead can run warm.Bring some cash for the food vendors. Most are set up for cards, but a few of the smaller booths are not.Bring a folding chair and stay a while!If you have kids, the park's playground is right there, so the day doesn't have to be just cars for them.
Getting There and the Road Closures
The Town of Mead closes Palmer, Martin, and Main streets around the park from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Memorial Day so the show can set up and run safely. If you live on or near those streets, you'll want to move your car the night before. If you're driving in, plan to park a couple of blocks out and walk — the side streets just east and north of Third Street are the usual landing spots. The closures lift mid-afternoon as the show wraps and the cars roll out.
A Little Background
The Mead Motorheads have been hosting this show every Memorial Day since 2004. That is more than twenty years of the same group of car enthusiasts giving up a holiday weekend to put it on. The Town of Mead's Board of Trustees has formally recognized the group with a proclamation naming Memorial Day as Mead Motorheads Day in town — which tells you most of what you need to know about how locals feel about it.
If You're New to Town, Say Hi
We will be walking the show- Aiden has been a fan of this show for years. For years, we volunteered with the Rotary Club, handing out our burritos and coffee to the drivers. It’s a tradition we love being part of. The easiest day of the year to meet your neighbors in this town happens to also be the loudest.
Full event details and any last-minute updates are posted on the Town of Mead calendar at townofmead.org and on the Mead Motorheads Facebook page.
Laura Owen, The Owen Group at RE/MAX Momentum. Licensed in Colorado.