The 19th annual, three-day Run What Cha Brung car show starts Friday evening with a free street dance at the Carson Mall.
Mclain's DJ service will provide music just north of Carl's, Jr. while show participants arrive to have their estimated 350 vehicles "classed" for the competition.
"They'll be registered as under construction, stock, modified, etc.," said Lorretta Marcin, secretary for the the Karson Kruzers, the automobile club that organizes the event. Dancing is scheduled to last until about 11 p.m.
Run What Cha Brung will continue Saturday with a breakfast prepared by the Kruzers.
Members of the club don't enter their vehicles in the competition, but they do everything else, Marcin said.
"None of our club members enter the car show -- it's strictly for non-Kruzers. But members make the trophies, cook breakfast and dinner; we do just about everything out there."
Breakfast and registration run together from 7-10 a.m. Saturday. The public is welcome to purchase breakfast for $3.50, while the ham, eggs and pancakes will be provided for all registered competitors.
Judging begins at noon. So far about 300 cars are registered, but more are expected. Last year's event drew an estimated 2,000 participants and spectators.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, Mayor Ray Masayko will host the grand reopening of Fuji Park.
"That'll be something really special," Marcin said.
The park features an underground sprinkler system, new children's playground, new restroom facilities and paving around the exhibit hall.
Also in the park Saturday will be an inflatable bouncing castle, face painting and a National Guard Humvee staffed by soldiers. Vendors will offer car-related items from their shade structures.
Raffle tickets will be sold all weekend for a cash drawing. One winner drawn Sunday will split the weekend's pot 50-50 with the Kruzers.
The nonprofit Karson Kruzers organizes Run What Cha Brung each year as a club fund-raiser, Marcin said. The event funds club participation in the Safe Grad sober celebration and the Kids in Transition middle school program.
A barbecue dinner Saturday will start early -- at 3:30 p.m. -- to make time for the evening car parade. Participants are welcome to drive from the Carson Mall north to Harley-Davidson and back.
Registered participants will receive a hat pin, dash plaque, two drink tickets for Saturday night and this year's commemorative mug and T-shirt.
Another street dance featuring Stevie and the Stingrays follows the car parade at the Carson Nugget's West parking lot on Carson Street. Look for the guest appearance of the Kruzer Kuties around 9 p.m.
Sunday is Poker Run. Participants will follow two routes, mostly in Carson. There are five stops along the 40-mile trip at which drivers will pick up a card. The highest hand will win a cash award.
Judges will begin the awards ceremony at noon. The ceremony will feature a drive-by of each of the first- and second-place vehicles.
"That's where you say, 'Oh yeah, that is a nice vehicle -- the judges did fine,'" Marcin said.
The whole event should wrap up around 2 p.m. Sunday.
If You Go
What: 19th annual, Run What Cha Brung Karson Kruzers' car show with free street dances, breakfast, all-day car show, vendors and Poker Run
Information: 882-0829 or 883-0927
n Street dance with DJ, registration, vehicle classing
Where: Carson Mall
When: 6-11 p.m. Friday
Cost: Free
n All-day show and shine, featuring vendors, barbecue, kids' bouncing castle
Where: Fuji Park, Highway 395 and Old Clear Creek Road
When: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
n Street dance with DJ
Where: Carson Nugget west parking lot
When: 6-11 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free
n Awards ceremony, features winning car drive-bys
Where: Fuji Park, corner of Highway 395 and Old Clear Creek Road
When: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free