One of Southwest Florida’s largest charity car shows returns next Saturday to Mariner High School.

The ninth annual Cape Coral Charity Car Show, sponsored by Cape Coral First Methodist Church, takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 22.

The event is expected to be packed with nearly 400 different makes, models and styles, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Cape Coral Caring Center.

The day-of-show entry fee is a $20 donation for show cars (no pre-registration necessary); parking is $5 for spectators.

Last year, the show raised $70,000 for the local food pantry, and has raised close to $385,000 since its inception.

Event organizer Phil Deems said they expect this year’s exposition to be the largest car show ever held in the Cape, with thousands of expected attendees.

“It’s an open show for cars, trucks, Jeeps, and four-wheel vehicles,” Deems said. “We’ll have a special military component as well.”

The show includes a Tribute to the Military and first responders at noon including color guard, pledge and live music; a deejay playing ’50s and ’60s music, food; and door prizes. There will be many additional vendors, plus information booths for the charity and church sponsor. Judging will be done by co-sponsors and donors with 70 trophies being presented.

“We have such a variety,” Deems said of what attendees can expect to see. “We have competition cars, street rods, military vehicles — a little something for everybody. This being our ninth show; we have a following of people that attend because they like what it does for people that have fallen on hard times.”

The fundraising goal is $100,000, with the need this year being greater due to those still recovering from recent storms and inflation.

“Our community backs one another, and those that have lost everything to flooding and hurricanes and loss of jobs,” Deems said.

Also returning this year, to accompany the wide variety of makes, models, and style, will be a display of large model airplanes.

The event is rain or shine. Pets are not permitted.

Deems also noted the Cape Coral Caring Center, which serves more than 12,000 people in need in the community and provides more than 143 tons of food to the less fortunate, can turn a $1 donation into $8 worth of food, making donations even more impactful.

“What I have found is that the people that are making the donations that support the show, they feel they have been blessed in many ways and are trying to give back to those that have had misfortune through no fault of their own,” Deems said. “Four to five thousand families each year are serviced by the Cape Coral Caring Center.”

Deems said the show started out at Jaycee Park with 80 to 90 cars, with more than 400 at last year’s event.

“The whole campus is loaded with cars,” Deems said. “There will be a trolley for those that have to park far away that will take them right into the show.”

Coffee for the event is donated by Starbucks, donuts are donated by Publix, and pizza donated by Dominos.

Mariner High School is at 701 Chiquita Blvd., North.

Visit capecoralcharitycarshow.com for more information.