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From 12 cars to now more than 400 vehicles of all ages, makes and styles - Hot Nights, Cool Rides turns 25 this year.
The annual car, truck and motorcycle show will be held Aug. 20 in downtown Forest City, again hosted by the Forest City Merchants Association. The show began in 1991 as a way to create a new event to bring people into town, said Ray Pittman, one of the original merchants who created the event.
"At that time the Merchants were doing a craft and vendor show that had been popular, but was starting to play itself out," Pittman said. "At the time, Wilma Roberson was president of the Merchants Association. I went to her and suggested a car show and she said, 'Fine, start one.'"
Pittman said he had "no inkling" the show would become as popular as it has, growing from 12 cars the first year to 100 by the third year and now over 400.
The show has grown over the years, but many of the original components have remained in place, Pittman said. The Night Moves band began playing the show around 18 years ago, he explained, and continue to play each year. And, the show is always held the third Saturday in August because "some people plan their vacations in order to come down to Forest City."
"It's like a family reunion," said Amy Bridges, director of downtown development for the Town of Forest City. "People put it on their calendars. Everybody knows when to come to the car show."
People come from all over to the attend the show that in the past has has garnered the accolade as being one of the best car shows in the Southeast as well as the car show to see by Hot Rod Magazine, Pittman said.
"I really think the longevity of the event comes from the variety of vehicles," he continued. "It's not all Corvettes or Mustangs. You may see a restored Jeep or an old pickup or some of the newer modified cars. You can go see something from yesterday or something new that's just come out."
It also offers something for all ages and people, from musical acts to visits with Barney Fife and Thelma Lou, Bridges said.
"Ronnie Felker and his wife come as Barney and Thelma Lou and drive up in the squad car," she said. "He'll be parked at the corner of Depot and Main Street, so that everyone who comes to register gets to meet him."
Music will again be provided by Jack Roper and the Weatherman Band, Dirty Grass Soul and Night Moves, who will close out the day.
Trophies will be awarded in more than 60 classes to participants, and those who wish to take part may register early during a cruise-in on Friday night.
"In celebration of our 25th year we are going to have a cruise-in Friday," Bridges said. "We've always had people to ask what's going on in town on Friday night. With the growth we've had on Main Street, we decided it would be a good way to introduce people to what we have to offer again."
The cruise-in, which is free to attend and participate in, will be held in the large parking long behind Smith's Drug Store. Music for Friday night will be provided by Sound Connection.
The event is expected to draw a crowd again this year. In the past, there has been around 10,000 people who came through Forest City during the event, from across the region and even the U.S.
"It's family oriented, and a really great thing for Forest City," Pittman said.
For more information on this year's event, visit the Forest City Merchant's Association online at forestcitymerchants.net/event or search for Hot Nights, Cool Rides on Facebook.
