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The 2025 Eddie Cochran Car Show and Music Festival will feature three nights of music and two days of events for car enthusiasts.

Cochran, who was born and spent much of his childhood in Albert Lea, was an American rock ’n’ roll musician in the 1950s and 1960s. He is considered a rockabilly pioneer best known for hits like “Summertime Blues” and “C’mon Everybody.” He made musical waves in rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly, country and rhythm and blues.

To honor his memory, the first night of music will kick off with Robby Vee at Thursdays on Fountain at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the gazebo at Fountain Lake Park.

On Friday, the car cruise-in will take place downtown starting at 3 p.m., with live music from Ron & Steve Unplugged to follow at 7:30 p.m. at 112 on Broadway.

On Saturday, registration will run from 8 to 11:30 a.m. with swag bags available for the first 150 registrations and dash plaques for the first 200. Registration is $10 per vehicle.

The show itself starts at 10 a.m., with voting open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and awards given out at 2 p.m. Stephanie Kibler, executive director of the History Center of Freeborn County, which plans the event, said they are adding a few new awards, including awards for the top five flathead engines and the top three T-buckets.

There will be food, balloon animals and visits from Sponge Bob and Wilma the Woolly throughout the show, along with live music from Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50s, Holly Day and Ruthless Ruth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Broadway.

A car cruise will take place immediately after the awards.

The day wraps up with music by Emerson Avenue at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the gazebo on Fountain Lake.

She said last year the car show drew in a corvette club from out of town and this year they have eight cars coming up from Louisiana.

“It’s a really fun way to spend the day and with great music,” Kibler said.