LS Fest cruise rolls into downtown Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The sounds of high-performance engines will roll into downtown Bowling Green Thursday night as the annual LS Fest Thursday Night Cruise kicks off the weekend-long automotive festival.

The free, family-friendly cruise will bring approximately 70 to 80 vehicles from Beech Bend Raceway into downtown, giving spectators an opportunity to see the cars up close, meet drivers and take photos.

The cruise is expected to arrive at Fountain Square Park around 7:30 p.m.

“Thursday night cruise has become a really cool way for us to kick off our biggest event of the year,” said Nick Swann, an event coordinator with Holley.

What started about five years ago as an informal gathering of roughly 30 cars has grown into an official kickoff to LS Fest East.

The event also allows local businesses to participate, with restaurants and other downtown businesses offering food and drink specials for LS Fest visitors.

Justin Carnes, an event coordinator with Holley, said the event’s connection to Bowling Green makes it especially meaningful.

“We love being a part of this community. Having this right in our backyard is super special,” Carnes said.

LS Fest East is celebrating its 17th year in 2026. The festival celebrates vehicles powered by General Motors’ LS engine platform and features drag racing, drifting, autocross, road course driving, car shows, burnout competitions and off-road events.

Organizers expect more than 30,000 people to attend throughout the weekend, with visitors coming from across the country and around the world.

Bowling Green Police Department will provide an escort and traffic control as the vehicles travel from the racetrack into downtown.

Swann credited the police department, local businesses and Telia Butler, the city’s Downtown Development Coordinator, for helping make the cruise possible.

“I’m really grateful for the Bowling Green Police Department, all the businesses that are involved in supporting this and specifically to Telia Butler, for really red carpeting this for me and the drivers that are participating,” Swann said.

The Thursday Night Cruise is free and open to all ages. Organizers recommend spectators gather around Fountain Square Park by about 7:30 p.m. to watch the cars arrive.

While Thursday night’s downtown cruise is free, admission is required for LS Fest East, which continues Friday through Sunday, Sept. 11-13, at Beech Bend Raceway and NCM Motorsports Park.

LS Fest East tickets must be purchased online. More information about tickets, event schedules and admission is available through Holley’s LS Fest website.