ESCONDIDO -- A campaign to revitalize the city's Cruisin' Grand classic car shows may include changes to the trophy ceremony, additional theme nights, reserved spaces for participants, extending the event one block eastward or special discount menus at nearby restaurants.

Such changes were among more than two dozen suggestions offered during a Thursday night "brainstorming session" organized by the Downtown Business Association. The session was attended by more than 60 Cruisin' Grand sponsors, business owners and frequent participants in the weekly shows.

Officials from the association, which owns and organizes Cruisin' Grand, said Thursday's meeting was called because attendance and merchant business at the car shows is "down considerably" this season. Completing its eighth year tonight, Cruisin' Grand runs from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday from April through September.

Jim Tisch, co-chair of the Cruisin' Grand planning committee, told the audience gathered at A Taste of Florence restaurant that his goal was to increase attendance at the shows, which is typically estimated at 3,000 people per session, and to make sure downtown merchants benefit.

"We're always looking for ways to keep it fresh," said Tisch. "We think we need to make some changes to make it a little healthier."

David Barkin, president of the association's board of directors, said Thursday's meeting was prompted by a recent survey indicating that a large majority of Cruisin' Grand sponsors and participants believe the event needs some upgrades.

"Like any wonderful event, sometimes you need to give it a face-lift," said Barkin, who led the brainstorming session.

Much of Thursday's session focused on the trophy session at Cruisin' Grand, which is organized by the event's car club adviser, Steve Waldron.

"The awards ceremony seems to be a little stale," said downtown attorney Sydney Kirkland, who suggested that a special ramp might encourage more people to stick around for the trophy presentations. "The cars seem to be parked haphazardly."

Debra Rosen, the association's chief executive, suggested that the trophy session should occur at 7 or 7:30 p.m., instead of 8 p.m.

"When we do the awards show at 8 o'clock, you really can't see the cars because it's dark," Rosen said.

Adding a weekly "people's choice" award was also suggested, and some sponsors said they would like to choose the winners of special awards they could present.

Another issue discussed Thursday was the scarcity of parking spots on Grand Avenue, which is the centerpiece street for the event.

Some people suggested that car clubs should receive reserved spots in advance so they feel no pressure to arrive early each Friday and jockey for position, a practice that some business owners said clogs parking and prevents the public from shopping and eating downtown during Friday afternoons.

Others suggested that more side streets should be opened up to classic cars, which could alleviate some of the congestion on Grand. Another person suggested that diagonal parking might help solve the problem.

Fran Ronalds, owner of the Sculpture Salon, said the event should be extended one block east to Ivy Street to include more downtown businesses.

Some said Cruisin' Grand would draw more people if there were theme nights for Chevy, Dodge or other makes, and others said special nights should be reserved for classic car owners from other cities, such as San Marcos or Poway.

One person suggested that the start time should be delayed until 6 p.m., while others said the Cruisin' Grand season should be extended a few extra weeks or months.

Most of the commentary was positive and quite jovial, but Steve Koonce of Stephen's Custom Jewelry said he would like the event curtailed to twice a month because it adversely affects his business.

Other suggestions included adding sock hops to the event, creating a special area for cars on sale and encouraging some "pricey" restaurants to offer discount menus during Cruisin' Grand.

Rosen said the suggestions would all be considered this fall by the association board, and that some would be presented to the Cruisin' Grand planning committee for implementation.

Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.