John Podolak, owner of After Hours Tattoo Studio and Social Club Barbershop, center, and staff members and car show organizers Natasha Spreng, left, and Katie Hill stand in Podolak's garage with four of his “ratrod” custom cars Wednesday. Two will be among cars featured at this weekend's Mars Rumble car show. Podolak and his shops host the event, now in its second year.

The second annual Mars Rumble car show will roll into downtown Mars this weekend, bringing with it more than 500 cars, hot rods, motorcycles, trucks and other custom vehicles to Grand Avenue.

“It's going to be pretty big,” said John Podolak, owner of After Hours Tattoo Studio and organizer of the event. “A lot of people are coming in from out of town. It's going to be a good show.”

Podolak said that the first iteration of the show in 2019 drew about 500 cars and about 120 to 150 motorcycles. A smaller version was held in October 2020 with 200 cars.

The event will begin at 3 p.m., but participants bringing cars to the show can arrive at 1 p.m. to get parked and situated.

Country band Something Simple and Black Sabbath tribute band Black Sabbath Lives will bring live music to the event, along with three DJs. A “Junior Pinup and Greaser Show” costume competition for children is scheduled for 5 p.m., along with a live blacksmith demonstration and paranormal tour.

Food and beverage options will be available from Mars Farm House Café, Jimi's Sunnyside Up Diner, Grand Avenue Grille, Hot Mama's Pierogies, BeBe Kakes, Big Shot Bob's House of Wings, Mars Candy Land and Stick City Brewing Co.

Podolak and two other judges built their own custom trophies, which they will give to their top car picks at the show. Podolak also plans to bring along two custom vehicles of his own.A number of custom builder vendors will be in attendance. Podolak expects upward of 20, some from out of state.He emphasized that the show isn't solely for car buffs.“It's for everybody, it's a family event,” he said. “A lot of the vehicles that are coming here are vehicles that you're not going to see anywhere else.”

Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung expects the event to compare somewhat in size to the recent Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department's Mega Cruise at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.“They're going to be all over Mars, downtown and all around,” Hartung said. “It's going to give us some things to evaluate even in terms of the Mars New Year, since for that event we're expecting 5,000 visitors on Friday and again on Saturday.”Beyond being a test run for Mars New Year, Hartung said the Mars Rumble will be good for local businesses.“Businesses are, of course, looking forward to it because it's bringing a ton of people into Mars,” he said. “John has people from as far away as Las Vegas coming to this show. It's going to be a regional and even a national type of an experience for a car show in our area.”Hartung will meet with Podolak one more time before the car show to make sure parking will accommodate all visitors.“It is kind of awesome and scary for a small town, but we're up for the challenge,” Hartung said.

One of After Hours Tatoo Studio and Social Club Barbershop co-owner John Podolak’s “ratrod’ custom cars that will be among those featured at this weekend’s Mars Rumble car show. Podolak and his shops host the event. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 07/28/21

Two of John Podolak’s “ratrod” custom cars will be among those featured at this weekend’s Mars Rumble car show. Podolak and his shops, After Hours Tattoo Studio and Social Club Barbershop, will host the annual event. More than 500 cars will be present.