26th Annual Hot Nights Cool Rides

Amy Bridges, Town of Forest City


26th Annual Hot Nights Cool Rides

The 26th Annual Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show is fast approaching! Each year thousands flock to the small town of Forest City on the third Saturday in August (this year August 19). This free event is sponsored by the Forest City Merchants Association and the Town of Forest City. Each year over 400 cars, trucks, and motorcycles lined both sides of historic Main Street. Over 60 classes of cars, trucks, and motorcycles are represented each year. Best of show awards and special awards are also presented.

The Hot Nights Cool Rides event is the Forest City Merchants Association big fund raiser. The monies earned funds the annual Christmas parade and donations at the end of the year to civic organizations, including the Marine Corp League's Toys for Tots.

To kick off this year's event, a cruise in will be held on Friday, August 18 at the Rutherford County Farmers Market on Depot Street. The cruise in will be from 6pm-8:30pm. Live music will be provided by the Flying Saucers. The Flying Saucers play a variety of music from the 60's and 70's.

Entertainment for the Saturday show this year will feature: Chris Ferree and Medicine Crow, Jack Roper and the Weatherman Band, Oak Grove String Band, and the Night Move Band. Chris Ferree and Medicine Crow play what Chris calls "Native American Jam". Jack Roper is a former weatherman and current host of "Your Carolina with Jack and Megan" on WSPA-Spartanburg. The band plays a mix of classic rock and roll and beach music. Oak Grove String Band is a bluegrass band with a folk, jam twist and hails from nearby Cleveland County. The Night Move Band, from Taylorsville, brings to the stage a mix of beach, R&B, and rock. The Sound Connection will be providing DJing between bands. Also appearing will be Barney Fife and Thelma Lou!

Vendors from the local area will be selling an assortment of delicious food items including: hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pizza, funnel cakes, ice cream, icees, kettle corn, and fresh lemonade. The food vendors will be located on Cherry Mountain Street near the iconic Forest City clock, while kettle corn, funnel cakes, and assorted soft drinks and lemonade will be located at each end of Main Street.

The 26th Hot Nights Cool Rides car show is a free event. It begins Saturday, August 19 at 9am and will continue until 8pm. It is an alcohol free event and no pets are allowed. There is plenty of free parking available just one block over on both sides of Main Street.

Car registration is $25 per car, and includes a t-shirt, a chance to win trophies, and a chance to win other giveaways. T-shirts are also available for the general public to purchase.

For more information call the Forest City Events Line at 828-247-4430 or the Town of Forest City at 828-247-4417. Or like us on Facebook at "Hot Nights Cool Rides Forest City Car Show" or "Forest City Events".