Got what it takes to be crowned the Fat Cat?

Candy Duncan enjoys all the cars sparking on the streets of Carson City during the annual Silver Dollar Car Classic, but she has always had her favorites.

"I'm not a car person, but there's a baby blue convertible that has come the last couple years that is very nice," said Duncan, executive director of the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "And I've always been partial to shiny red convertibles."

The classic car event, designed to coincide with the beginning of Hot August Nights, kicks off today with a cruise night event at the Plaza Hotel and Conference Center from 6-9 p.m.

Registration runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday morning at the Carson Nugget Casino. The afternoon brings a party for car show participants, followed by a street dance from 7-11 p.m. in the Nugget's west parking lot.

"In the past the street dance on Friday night is very popular. We close Curry Street and allow the cars to park there. It's just a good time," Duncan said.

Saturday brings the main event, with the official show running from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with judging from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Mills Park.

"Saturday in the park is the best part of doing this event. All the cars are out there with a ton of vendors, good food and good people," Duncan said.

Saturday evening from 6-10 p.m. features a performance by Jimmy and the Jets from Sacramento at Mills Park.

The Silver Dollar Car Classic welcomes all makes, models and years and presents more than 40 awards including: Baddest Truck, Sexy Sedan, Imported Magic, Flamin' Freeway, Best Makeout Car and Most Likely to Get Pulled Over, chosen by a panel of judges.

"We learned early on to do fun awards and keep it light-hearted. People get upset if you make it serious, they get very competitive," Duncan said.

There are currently 160 entries, with more than 100 more expected before the event kicks off.

Sunday brings the "Best in the West" Poker Run from 8 a.m.-noon followed by a barbecue that runs from 11a.m.-1 p.m. at Mills Park, with the presentation of awards at 1 p.m.

During the combination poker game and treasure hunt, competitors drive to designated locations and draw a card at each site. The winner of the best poker hand gets the chance to win $1 million by hitting a hole-in-one at Empire Golf Course.

The event runs the same weekend that Hot August Nights begins in Reno.

"That's not a coincidence. Traditionally, Carson City is full during this time and we thought, 'What a shame that they are all driving to Reno,'" Duncan said.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

If you go

Schedule for Silver Dollar Car Classic:

Today: 6-9 p.m. Kick-off Cruise Night, Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 801 S. Carson St.

Friday: 11a.m.-4 p.m. early registration at the Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St.

7-11 p.m. TGIF Street Dance Party at the Carson Nugget west parking lot.

Saturday:

7:30 a.m. Pancake Breakfast at Mills Park,

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Show & Shine contest with registration closing at 4 p.m. at Mills Park.

6-10 p.m. Concert by Jimmy and the Jets at Mills Park, 1111 E. William St.

Sunday:

7:30 a.m. Pancake Breakfast at Mills Park.

8 a.m.-noon "Best of the West" Poker Run.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. "Great Fixin's Silver Dollar Steak Barbecue" at Mills Park.

1 p.m. awards ceremony at Mills Park.

For information, call687-7410 or go to silverdollarcar.com.