Community members gather to admire a variety of vehicles during the Cars and Coffee gathering at Grace Lutheran Church in Gridley on Saturday, July 18. The informal event brought together car enthusiasts and residents for coffee, conversation and fellowship. Photo courtesy of Michael Doehrman

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The parking lot at Grace Lutheran Church filled with classic cars, trucks and community members on Saturday, July 18, as the church hosted its third Cars and Coffee gathering.

The informal event brought together vehicle enthusiasts and local residents for coffee, conversation and a chance to admire a variety of cars with no schedule or competition.

Michael Doehrman, a deacon at Grace Lutheran Church, said the church wanted to create a wholesome way for the community to come together.

"It’s a great opportunity to come out and shoot the breeze," said Doehrman, who brought his 1973 Ford Ranchero to the gathering.

The event welcomes all types of vehicles.

"If it’s cool, bring it," Doehrman said. "There’s no pressure. This is not a show."

Doehrman said previous gatherings have attracted about 20 to 30 participants. Attendance remained similar this month, but he noticed more Gridley residents stopping by to look at the vehicles, visit with neighbors and enjoy coffee and doughnuts.

"We had about the same number of cars, maybe a few more," Doehrman said. "The increase we noted at this Cars and Coffee event was more people from the Gridley community coming to check out the cars, have some fun and fellowship, and maybe a doughnut."

Organizers are considering making Cars and Coffee an official monthly event.