Hundreds of cars will storm downtown Columbia on Saturday, June 19, and they'll bring the thunder. Thunder on the River, the annual Columbia Lions Club car show, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Locust Street between Front and Fifth streets. A minute-long engine revving by participants will be featured at noon, meant to simulate the sound of a thunderstorm sweeping across the river.

The show is open to all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. While past events have drawn more than 500 vehicles, including 100 same-day registrants, organizers decided to limit the number of participants this year, mostly due to the uncertainty about when COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted. The show is sold-out for entrants.

"Our No. 1 goal was to keep Thunder on the River going for our car owners," said Paul Resch, vice president of the Lions and chairman of the car show committee. "Some have been coming to the show for 15 years and from as far away as Delaware and Maryland."

Food will be available for purchase from restaurants, churches, nonprofit groups and food vendors. The Columbia Market House, which features several food stands, will also be open. Oldies music will serve as a backdrop for the show, and Kracker Beez, which includes Lions member Phil Kresge, will perform from noon to 1 p.m. A Kids Pit Stop in the parking garage of CHI St. Joseph Children's Health, 401 Locust St., will feature children's activities, carnival games, wooden crafts, snacks and beverages provided by local organizations.

Proceeds from this year's show will benefit CHI St. Joseph Children's Health, Janson Foundation, Off the Streets Susquehanna and the Lions Club's vision program. Participants are asked to bring two nonperishable food items for the Columbia Food Bank.

Show organizers will award more than 50 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 Club took over sponsorship of the show in 2014. Other trophy categories include best engine, best import, best interior, best exterior, best truck, best vintage, best cycle and most unique.

Resch said the car show offers a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy all that Columbia has to offer.

"We have a lot of repeat customers and get a lot of positive feedback. Car owners and spectators enjoy our show because it's downtown where there's plenty to see and do," he remarked. "People can visit local shops and restaurants, go for a walk on the Northwest River Trail or just relax and take in the views at Locust Street Park and the riverfront."

Parking for the show will be available at Holy Trinity Church, 409 Cherry St., and in the borough parking lots next to the Market House. The event will be held rain or shine.