Talk about a traffic jam! This weekend, 30,000 or more automobile aficionados are expected to converge on the Dutchess County Fairgrounds to buy, sell, show off or just ogle a selection of some 2,500 cars. It’s the Hudson River Valley Antique Auto Association’s umpteenth annual Rhinebeck Car Show & Swap Meet, and it kicks off at noon on Friday, May 6, when hundreds of vendors will begin showing their wares in the Swap Meet area. The haggling will continue until 5 p.m.

On Saturday, May 7, swapping resumes at 6 a.m.; the fun begins in earnest at 9 a.m. for folks who can’t dream of a new automotive acquisition just now, but love to look. On view until 4 p.m., and up for judging in a “Dust-Off” competition, will be more than 600 hot rods, street rods, customs, racecars, compact customs and pickups. Feel free to flex your body art and relive your muscular youth, fellas, but please don’t drool on the chrome.

Sunday, May 8 will be the big day for those learnéd in the history of the internal combustion engine, whose eyes grow misty at the memory of roadsters of yore with wooden steering wheels and leather seats. That’s when over 1,000 unmodified classic and antique cars will go on display, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Again, prizes will be awarded to the jewels of the exhibition, and a new judging class will be introduced: Barn Finds. The Swap Meet will go on from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Swap Meet vendor spaces are already sold out, but there’s another option for folks with a car that they’re ready to unload. It’s called the Car Corral, and spaces for over 500 vehicles become available starting at 12 noon on Friday. For $50 you can display your jalopy all weekend to potential buyers.

The Dutchess County Fairgrounds are located at 6550 Spring Brook Avenue, better-known as Route 9 in Rhinebeck. Spectator admission to the Car Show & Swap Meet is $10 for adults; kids age 12 and under get in free. For more information, visit www.rhinebeckcarshow.com.