A fair-weathered afternoon brought about 4,500 spectators to the Return to Renton Car Show on an otherwise quiet Sunday downtown.

“People were smiling and laughing and having a good time,” said organizer LarKen Buchanan.

The show celebrated its 20th cruise-in this year.

The group raised about $12,000 for the Renton Police Youth Education Fund, a 10 percent increase from last year.

With heavy budget cuts, the police now rely heavily on the show to sponsor the program.

Threatening morning weather brought down car entries to about 360, but the show had a strong showing of antique cars from the 1920s, Buchanan said. “It was really great for the public to go out and see.”

The showing of pre-40s cars was fitting for the weekend, which also celebrated U.S. Congress’ Collector Car Appreciation Day July 9.

Organizers also offered a memorial trophy to Steve Maxwell, husband of state Rep. Marcie Maxwell, who had contributed a lot of time to the shows.

“It made the community feel really good,” Buchanan said. “He is missed, but he will never be forgotten.”

In addition bad morning weather, which kept many collectors at home, the group also had to overcome the closure of I-405 for the removal of the Benson Bridge.

Luckily, the freeway reopened three hours early, in time for the show, Buchanan said.

“It was a very smooth, seemless event,” she said.

At the show, spectators walked the closed South Third Street, intermixing with car owners.

Some controversy has formed around the car show’s presence downtown, as it blocks some customers from storefronts, said organizer Jim Medzegian.

While restaurants with cars parked in front often do better than usual, some retail stores suffered, he said.

It’s been an expectation of the car show to bring business downtown, but that isn’t the mission of the show or a guarantee, he said.

“There’s expectations on the car show that we can’t meet,” he said.

The cruise-in is a fundraiser, he said. “I got into it because it primarily raised money for disadvantaged youth.”

The show also focuses on promoting the Renton community and car history.

Organizers have focused on keeping the show fun and energized. They had trivia questions that stumped many of the car buffs, Buchanan said.

The about 30 trophy categories are comical, including Ride I’d Sell My House For and Whata Hot Rod.

Different judges every year means there are usually different winners, she said.