MARS — Mars' in-town car show will be rolling in July 31, with extended hours and attractions.

“It's going to be pretty big,” said John Podolak, owner of After Hours Tattoo and driving force behind the event. “I'm going to need a lot of room.”

Podolak asked members of council Monday night to consider allowing the car show to have extended hours. Citing past events, Podolak said the show often draws visitors earlier than its historical 3 p.m. start.

The show did take place last year, but Podolak said it only brought in about 300 cars.

In a non-pandemic year, Podolak said the event draws between 600 and 700 cars and roughly 150 motorcycles.

Turning the event into an all-day affair should help with attendance and traffic flow, according to Podolak.

“I need some room,” Podolak said. “I did talk to the (local) businesses about it.”

Mars business owners are supportive of the extension, according to Podolak. He said he's already received a number of donations for the event.

Podolak said he's working with other organizers to divide the town into manageable “sections” for parking and traffic flow. This will include emergency exists and one-way signage.

Among other things, this year's event is expected to include food trucks, bands, DJs, and special displays and entries from out-of-state vendors.

Beau Sneddon, officer in charge of Mars Police Department, said borough police have a good history of working with car show volunteers.

Sneddon said last year's volunteers were the most he'd ever seen.

“That was a huge help to us,” Sneddon said. “It was pretty well organized last year.”

Council approved this year's event to run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 31, including the necessary street closures in town.

More details will be shared closer to the event.

The tentative rain date was approved for either Aug. 1 or 7.