Ford Thunderbirds and Fairlanes, Chevrolet Camaros and Corvettes, Pontiac Firebirds, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, trucks and cars alike, tricked, slammed and more will be found cruising Carson City this weekend as the Silver Dollar Car Classic gets under way.
About 250 or more participants are expected for the event, according to Judy Fisher, Silver Dollar Car Classic program coordinator. Many car owners spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours, patiently (and sometimes not) restoring classics that never seem to go out of style. These unique and many one-of-a-kind models have been restored to better than showroom condition.
The annual event has become very popular and a new activity -- Discover Carson City trivia contest -- is offered to the participants.
"The contestants are asked to drive around and discover Carson City by visiting museums, the Capitol and casinos and other places finding answers to questions," said Fisher.
"And they've got all weekend to do it. It's just something fun we thought we'd throw in."
Registration begins today from noon to 6 p.m. at the Pony Express Pavilion in Mills Park. A "cruise of champions" begins at 6 p.m. from Mills Park, led by the Carson City Sheriff's Department's 1954 Chevy.
The cruise will go south on Saliman to Fifth Street, west to Carson Street, north on Carson Street to Kmart, turn around and head south on Carson Street to the Carson Nugget, where a street dance will be held 6:30-11 p.m. in the west parking lot of the Carson Nugget, which is a sponsor of the event. Live music will be provided by The Rag Tops.
Saturday's activities include registration and breakfast from 8-10 a.m. at the Pony Express Pavilion, show and shine from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout Mills Park, then comes fast times. Participants go to Champion Speedway where they will do parade laps for the race fans and drivers at the track. Cars of all makes, models and years will look pristine under the glow of stadium lighting. The chrome is polished so meticulously you can see your reflection from several feet away. The drivers will then vote on their "favorite" car or truck and the winner will be presented a trophy.
After the parade, the participants head back to Mills Park for a "drive-in" style theater presentation of the original "Gone in 60 Seconds" film.
"We show the film on the large grassy area of the park," said Fisher.
"The participants get to park on the grass like they're in a real drive-in, the general public can join them, but on blankets or lounge chairs."
A variety of food will be available throughout the weekend at Mills Park, in addition to a dino bounce room for kids. Also, a "barrel of booze" worth more than $200 will be raffled, tickets are $1 each. All proceeds from the Silver Dollar Car Classic will be donated to Special Olympics.
"Our DJ, 'Time Warp,' whose real name is Chuck Baldauskas, provides entertainment throughout the event," said Fisher. "He does our trivia and hands out the prizes. He's been with us a few years now."
Sunday is the start of the $1 million poker run. The person holding the winning hand of the poker run will get a chance on Empire Ranch Golf Course on a pre-determined hole to swing for a hole-in-one. If they make it, they'll be $1 million richer.
"Last year the woman almost got it," Fisher said. "She was just a few inches away."
The poker run is open to the public, cost is $5 per hand. The awards for the Silver Dollar Car Classic will be handed out at about 1 p.m.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Silver Dollar Car Classic
WHEN: Events Friday-Sunday
WHERE: Centralized at Mills Park, Pony Express Pavilion; also Champion Speedway
INFO: 687-7410