MIDDLEBURY, Ind. – Das Dutchman Essenhaus is wrapping up another season of classic car cruise-ins with a full day of food, fellowship, and family-friendly fun.
The 2026 Cruise-In Finale is Thursday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food trucks will be there throughout the day serving burgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken, pizza, kettle corn, ice cream, and other tasty treats. Cruise-In T-shirts, gear, and hats will be available for purchase. Prizes will be given away, and donations will be accepted to support Stable Grounds, a local non-profit that provides equine therapy to students and their families.
“The Finale is always a special day because we see a much larger number of both participants and spectators, creating an exciting atmosphere for everyone,” said Angela Miller, the Events Coordinator for Essenhaus. “There is no registration, so participants can simply arrive, find a parking spot, and enjoy the festivities.”
Now in its 21st season, the weekly event has grown from a couple dozen vehicles to between 200 and 300 on a typical Thursday and more than 1,600 at the largest Cruise-In Finale to date. Campus leaders hope to shatter that record at the final Cruise-In of 2026.
“We love watching the Cruise-In continue to grow and seeing new people make Thursday nights at the Essenhaus part of their weekly routine,” said Miller. “At the same time, we’re incredibly thankful for our regular attendees. Many of them were once new faces at the Cruise-In, and now they feel more like old friends.”
As the current Cruise-In season winds down, organizers are already looking ahead to 2027. The first event of 2027 is the Cruise-In Dinner on March 18, where attendees will reflect on 2026 and get a sneak peek of what’s in store for the upcoming season. The 2027 season will then begin on May 6 and continue each Thursday through September 30.