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Sundays are quiet days in Upper Marlboro, when businesses close and the streets are empty.

Unless, someone parks 70 classic cars on Main Street and brings in food vendors, a DJ and scores of car aficionados as was the case Sunday when the third annual Cruising Main Street, a classic car show, came back to town.

"I enjoy every bit of this," said Michael Hopkins, who drove down from Charles County with his son, Michael Hopkins, Jr., to see muscle cars, hot rods and other classics. Hopkins said he had been to much bigger car shows, but he prefers Upper Marlboro's.

"It's much better because it's close," he said. "It's more of a family atmosphere. I love every moment of this."

Bert Krakosky, a member of the Upper Marlboro Volunteer Fire Department who volunteered as a judge at the show, agreed.

"I like seeing old cars," he said. "And I've seen friends [here] I haven't seen in years."

The event was organized by the fire department and Jeff Weivel, a fire department board member.

Organizers filed for permits from the town government to close down Main Street and got 15 local businesses to contribute $3,000 to the show, said fire department president Jay Tucker.

Proceeds go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. With 70 cars at the show and an entrance fee of $20 a piece, organizers expect to contribute at least $1,400 this year. The event's organizers raised more money by selling T-shirts.

"We're trying to give something back," said Tucker, who said this year's participants are up from only 50 last year. "Every year, if we can grow by 25 percent, we're really doing something."

Tucker said last year's show brought in $1,000, and he expects to do even better this year.

"This year we're hoping to double that," he said. The organizers will know how much money the event raised later this week.

Volunteers also sold hamburgers and hotdogs to raise money for the fire department, which members said is in desperate need of funding. George Moore, a volunteer, sold food with his brother James.

"It makes us feel good because the fire department always helps the community," Moore said. "We like to give back to them."

James Ford, a participant who won a trophy for his 1954 Ford pickup truck, said he prefers this show to others because Upper Marlboro still looks and feels like a small town.

"I love it," he said. "And Upper Marlboro looks like it's still plain old Upper Marlboro."

Ford, a Vietnam veteran, filled the back of his truck with flags and pins dedicated to soldiers who were killed or missing in action.

"It's sort of a silent tribute to them," he said. He added that he did not enter the show for a trophy.

"I didn't come for that," he said. "I just came to share and enjoy."

The show ended just before 5 p.m., when the judges awarded 28 trophies to the owners of their favorite cars. Then, for a moment, Main Street roared as participants revved their engines to life. They drove off, and the crowd that lined the street started to disperse.

And a half-hour later, Main Street was once again silent.

E-mail Greg Holzheimer at gholzheimer@gazette.net.