Amy Bridges
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 9:55 am

The 33rd Hot Nights Cool Rides Car Show is fast approaching. Each year thousands come to Forest City on the third weekend in August. This year's event will be on Friday August 15 and Saturday, August 16. With over 400 cars, trucks, and motorcycles registered and 80 different car classes recognized, this show is one of the largest in the Southeast. The event is sponsored by the Forest City Merchants Association and the Town of Forest City.

To kick off this year's event, a free cruise in and concert will be on Friday, August 15 from 6 to 9pm at the Forest City Pavilion on Park Square (POPS). The Ocean Blvd Band will take the stage at 7:30pm. Even without a show car to bring, everyone is invited POPS to enjoy the live music and to visit with family and friends. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Folks participating in the cruise in are asked to park on either side of the Rutherford County Farmers Market. Volunteers will be on hand to assist show cars with parking. Main Street restaurants, local food trucks, and the POPS concession stand will provide delicious food and snack items. Parking for the public is along historic Main Street and in the free, municipal lots between Main Street and Trade Street.

The 33rd Hot Nights Cool Rides car show is a free event for spectators. It begins on Saturday, August 16 at 9am and will continue until 8pm along Main Street. Folks wishing to participate in the car show can register their show car on Friday, August 15 from 2 to 8pm at Main Street Meeting, 108 East Main Street. Registration continues Saturday, August 16 from 9am to 12pm. Registration is $30 per vehicle and includes a commemorative t-shirt. Only registered show cars will be allowed on Main Street.

Main Street will close at 7am on Saturday to everyone but show cars. Volunteers will be on hand to assist show cars with parking. Intersections must remain open throughout the day. Spectators are asked to park in municipal lots between Main Street and Trade Street and in the municipal lots around POPS. Spectators can access Trade Street via Main Street/McNair Drive and Main Street/Elizabeth Avenue. Parking will also be available in the large, grassy area across the street from First Baptist Church.

Main Street restaurants along with other food vendors will be serving a variety of delicious food items. True Oldies Downtown Radio WAGY FM 107.5/1320 AM/www.WAGYFM.com will be broadcasting live throughout the day. Main Street retail businesses will be open throughout the day. The trophy ceremony will begin at 7 pm on the stage at the Main Street/Cherry Mountain Street/Park Square intersection.

"Pit Road/Vendor Alley" returns this year as part of the car show on Saturday. A large variety of vendors, including arts/crafts, home-based businesses, commercial businesses, community organizations, sports groups, school groups, political groups, and church groups will be set up inside POPS during the car show on Saturday.

For more information contact Amy Bridges at 828-447-1730 or 828-248-5200, like the town on Facebook at "Hot Nights Cool Rides Forest City Car Show" or "Forest City Events" or visit www.townofforestcity.com.