“Weather permitting,” Gene Cahoon said with a tone of cautious optimism ringing in his voice, “we’re gonna give it one more week!”

Cahoon issued that statement late last Thursday afternoon when after a day full of sun and summer-like weather rain blanketed Rossi Park and thus cancelled the Tri-City Elks Car Show season’s finale.

As the rain intensified, Cahoon – who coordinates the highly-attended weekly event – told classic car owners “to spread the word that we’ll be back here next week to close out the season.”

So Thursday at 5 o’clock, weather permitting, the weekly car show that runs from 5 to 7:30 inside Rossi Park at 1915 West Shore Road in back of the Tri-City Elks Lodge No. 14 and has drawn record numbers of vintage vehicles and countless guests this season, will as Cahoon and Exalted Ruler Deb Mangina announced “close out the 2019 season in style!”

For starters, Chef Sam Bugbee will be back at his propane-powered grill cooking Lodge 14’s famous sausage and peppers sandwiches, hamburgers or cheeseburgers and hot dogs with the help of Elks volunteer.

In keeping with what has become a popular practice at each weekly show, Cahoon will call upon a person to pull a ticket out of a bucket that will result in presentation of Thursday’s “Best of Show” plaque.

The season’s finale will also feature two trophy presentations, one by Mangina for the Exalted Rulers Pick and another for the Mayor’s Pick presented by Warwick Mayor and Lodge 14 ember Joseph J. Solomon.

The trophies, as well as four other surprise awards, have been specially made and donated to the Tri-City Elks by George Arakelian, who owns and operates A Custom Car Stereo Center on Atwood Avenue in Johnston and is known for organizing some of the state’s largest car shows.

There’s no admission to Thursday’s Elks Car Show that has in recent weeks featured as many as 80 vintage vehicles. Lodge 14’s famous Gayle and Pat Conley Tiki Bar will be open and Bugbee and his staff will have plenty of grilled food.