By Melissa Wynn

As Spring returns to the Sierra it is time once again to ready your ride for Kool April Nites. This week long, annual celebration of classic cars is among Redding’s most anticipated events.

The fun begins Saturday, April 21st at 11:00am with the Lithia Chevrolet Show & Shine and engine ticket drawing at 200 E. Cypress Ave in Redding. Drop in and meet some the participants and see their vintage vehicles.

Those with a classic of their own to enter can pre-register online for $50.00 at https://www.koolaprilnites.com/the-show/registration/Kool April Nites sky view . You must pre-register by April 1st to participate in the Friday Night Cruise to be held the 27th at 6:30pm. Registration for the Saturday show only is $60.00 and available April 25-27 at the Redding Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Dr., 9am-6pm. Registration fees include two passes for five days of car displays, the specialty inside show which features one-of-a-kind classic cars, and concerts each night. Entries must date from 1979 or earlier and be street legal and insured. There are NO exceptions. Registration after April 1st is limited to the first 2000 vehicles.

The Friday Nite Cruise offers spectators the opportunity to see the classics on the road and to hear the engines roar. Rain or shine the cruise begins the 27th at 6:30pm and ends at 8pm. The cruise route encompasses the loop up Hilltop Dr., across Dana Dr. to Churn Creek Road, down Churn Creek road to East Cypress Ave and back up Hilltop Dr.. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the parade of custom hot rods and restored classics.

The Big Show is the highlight of the week, with all entries parked on display at the Redding Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Drive, 7am-4pm. Admission is $10 at the gate or tickets can be purchased at local Napa Auto Parts stores for $8, Seniors over 70 and children 12 and under attend free. California Country will be on the main stage performing your favorite hits as you wander through admiring the shiny classics and hot rods. Kool April Nites does not allow spectator or disabled parking at the Civic Auditorium during the Saturday show. Limited parking is reserved for registrants, sponsors, volunteers and vendors. Spectators are offered free bus transportation through the Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) located at the downtown terminal off Yuba Street. Plenty of free parking is available at the terminal. The bus runs every 20 minutes to/from the event on Saturday 7am-5pm. Tickets for Saturday’s event are also available for purchase at the bus drop off point. RABA also has special buses for those needing assistance and at the Civic Auditorium, Kool April Nites will have a passenger golf cart to provide closer entry to the event from the bus.

Immediately after the Big Show the Redding Drag Strip Show and Shine  and Kool April Nites Street Legal Fun Race will begin at 6750 Old Oregon Trail and go 4pm-11pm, the race will begin at 6pm and attendance is free.

Fortunate Son performs their tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival at 7:30pm at the Redding Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Drive. Tickets for all concerts are $10 at the door for the general public. Registered participants attend for free with the wristband. Decades is the next to hit the stage with a performance Friday from 8:30-10:30pm. The tunes will continue Saturday after the Big Show beginning when Hot Roux plays from 6pm-8pm. Decades follows with a performance from 8:30-10:30pm. Come dance the night away.

Sunday, April 29th wraps up the week with the award winning cars on display from 8am-1pm. The awards ceremony will begin at noon and the winning engine ticket will be drawn.

Read a full schedule, rules and requirements online at https://www.koolaprilnites.com.   Vendor space is available. Pricing information and applications are available online at https://www.koolaprilnites.com/about/vendors/. We hope to see you there.