If you hear a rumble in the air at noon on Saturday, June 15, don't worry about the weather. This thunder will be coming from more than 500 cars, trucks and motorcycles revving their engines in unison as part of a Columbia tradition.

"We started this tradition a few years ago, and it's become a highlight of the show," said Paul Resch, president of the Columbia Lions Club, which hosts the Thunder on the River event. "A lot of people think that's how the car show got its name since the sound of 500 engines at full throttle sounds a lot like a thunderstorm. The truth is, we came up with the name first, and then a few years ago someone had this idea. It was perfect."

The 10th annual Thunder on the River will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Locust Street between Second and Sixth streets and in Locust Street Park.

Thunder on the River will bring thousands of visitors to Columbia to admire the vehicles; enjoy food for purchase from local restaurants, churches, nonprofit organizations and vendors; and listen to oldies music while enjoying a fun-filled day. An honor guard from Boy Scout Troop 35 will march down Locust Street and display the American flag at noon, after which the national anthem will be played, and participants will rev their engines. The Kracker Beez will provide live music. 

All makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. Show organizers will award 85 trophies, including Best of Show and the Barry Doutrich Memorial Trophy. Doutrich owned an auto repair shop and founded the car show in 2005 under the name Cruisin' Columbia. The Lions continued it in 2014 after Doutrich passed away. Other trophy categories include Best Preserved, Best Import, Best Truck, Best Cycle and Best Street Rod. 

Resch said attending a car show is like taking a walk down memory lane. You might see the first car you ever owned, the one you steered as a kid while sitting on your mom or dad's lap or the one you wish you wouldn't have sold. 

"The car show is always the third Saturday in June, which almost always is the day before Father's Day," he remarked. "It's a great way to celebrate fathers, grandfathers and father figures in our lives. There's a story behind every car. You'll see a lot of vehicles that have special connections to fathers and sons, fathers and daughters and grandfathers and grandchildren."

Proceeds from the show will benefit several nonprofit organizations, including Columbia Borough Fire Department, Habitat for Humanity, The Common Wheel, Columbia United Veterans Council's Memorial Day Parade, Wenger Center for youth sports and the Lions vision/eyeglasses project. Since 2014, the Lions have donated more than $53,000 to local nonprofit organizations from the car show. 

Children's activities will be offered at a Kids Pit Stop at CHI St. Joseph Children's Health, 401 Locust St., and Columbia Borough police officers will give away toy cars to children age 12 and under. Free crafts, face painting and snacks will be provided by the Columbia-Middletown Elks Lodge 1074, Chickies Rock Moose and VFW Auxiliary Post 2435.

Admission to the show is free for spectators.