Twenty-eight years ago, a little car show took root on the shores of Sinclair Inlet in Port Orchard.

These days, that little car exhibition — the CRUZ car show — is considered by many to be the largest-attended single-day event in Kitsap County.

Hundreds of autos — tricked-out, modified, vintage and just flat-out dazzling — will once again line up for a beauty-pageant inspection by upwards of 30,000 visitors Sunday, Aug. 9 in Port Orchard.

The event is sponsored by the local Saints Car Club — as it has been for 18 years. Club members will be on site to ensure it runs smoothly.

“We have 65 members in the club, and all of them are expected to take part,” said Roger Jensen, Saints member and CRUZ event coordinator. “Their work doesn’t happen just on one day. We have people who’ve worked to organize it since November.”

While Jensen says it’s difficult to break down where event visitors come from, he believes some people who visit CRUZ come from out of state.

“We get a group of people regularly from Stockton, Calif.,” he said.

“Visitors come from all over the state, as well as from Vancouver and Victoria, B.C.”

Jensen expects more than 600 cars will be on display “from the gazebo to city hall.”

CRUZ 2015 will highlight the “monster truck” category this year.

While he doesn’t expect name trucks to be on site, Jensen is sure there’ll be a good representation to view.

Key to the event’s success has been the cooperation shown by city agencies and officials, he said.

“We couldn’t put on a show of this size and scope without the help of our public-safety people,” Jensen said.

The show is free to visitors. To register and display your vehicle at CRUZ 2015, you’ll need to arrive between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. the day of the event. Registration fee is $15 per vehicle.

Trophies will be awarded in 60 different class categories.

Bay Street will be closed to traffic during the event. Shuttle buses will transport visitors to the show from the Kitsap County Courthouse parking lot on Cline Street, and from the Park-and-Ride lot next to the Armory on Mile Hill Drive in Port Orchard.

Visitors from Bremerton are encouraged to ride the foot ferry across Sinclair Inlet to the car show.

The Festival by the Bay, sponsored by Fathoms O’ Fun Festivals, will run alongside the car show on Bay Street. Food and crafts vendors will be on site.

At 3 p.m., an awards ceremony for category winners will be staged at the Waterfront Gazebo.