Rev up the classic cars for weekend of fun

It's almost August and the nights are heating up in Carson City with vintage cars, '50s tunes and Carson City's Silver Dollar Car Classic.

The Thursday through Sunday car classic is a prelude to Reno's Hot August Nights, although not directly affiliated.

The Carson City Conven-tion & Visitors Bureau began the Silver Dollar Car Classic 16 years ago as a way to bring people into town the weekend before the start of Hot August Nights in Reno and Sparks, explained Joy Evans, Silver Dollar Car Classic promoter and event coordinator with the visitors bureau.

"A lot of people like the small-town atmosphere here," she said, noting that many people who have registered already are from out of state. "They come into town for this car show and just go up to Reno to see the cars there."

The show has classes for any vehicle and many fun as well as serious awards.

"We accept any make, any model, any year, so anyone can sign up for this car show," Evans said.

The 2010 Silver Dollar Car Classic kicks off tonight with a cruis starting at 6 p.m. at the Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, 805 S. Carson St. Also on tap is a show 'n' shine, spirits and great rock 'n' roll with DJ Don Murray.

Car registration revs up on Friday followed by a street dance and show 'n' shine from 7 -11 p.m. at the Carson Nugget's west parking lot, across Highway 395 from the casino. Route 66 will roll out classic tunes for the event and the Nugget will have food for sale.

The real show takes place at Mills Park on Saturday and Sunday. Both days start with the Kiwanis pancake breakfast, fueling bodies from 8-10:30 a.m.

Saturday, hundreds of cars are polished up for the show 'n' shine and judging while Don Murray continues to spin tunes for visitors as they admire the cars and check out the food and vendors.

New this year is the Sunset Cruise & Champaign Train on the new V&T. Those showing cars can sign up to ride the steam train farther into the canyon than it currently runs for public rides. It starts with a police escort to the train depot.

"It's an evening for the Silver Dollar participants showing cars at Mills Park," Evans said. But since any type car can enter the car classic, anyone with a car is eligible for the train ride.

"It's going to be awesome. When we come back from the (train) ride, there will be champagne for everyone to toast the Nevada sunset. It's a beautiful view from the depot of Carson City and the mountains," Evans said.

On Sunday, the Silver Dollar Car Classic Poker Run cruises again followed by a barbecue and awards ceremony before everyone cruises on home.

Classic car aficionados have had a chance to preview many of the vehicles expected to show this weekend during Thursday night cruises that began early in the summer.

"At these cruise nights, we've seen some brand new paints, brand new cars that we've never seen in Carson City before," Evans said. "This weekend "it's going to be quite a viewing."