Silver Dollar Car Classic weekend looms

The 2013 version of Carson City’s Silver Dollar Car Classic has a vehicular vibe to strike a chord with any age among area auto aficionados, including the younger set.

There are cruise days and nights, plenty of food and dancing, show ‘n shine time for fine rolling stock, building of small kit vehicles for the kids, and awards for both the usual and the unusual among the classic entries. The Friday-Sunday event actually has preview action Thursday evening hosted by the Plaza Hotel and Conference Center.

“Any make, any model is welcome to show up,” said Joy Evans, event manager with the Convention & Visitors Bureau and one of three Silver Dollar weekend organizers. The 6 p.m. Thursday action includes a cruise night, show ’n’ shine, music and spirits hosted by the hotel.

Friday features the welcome reception and registration for car participants at the Carson Nugget ballroom, 4-7 p.m., as well as the Carson Nugget street dance and show ’n’ shine with Route 66, which includes a public welcome, running from 5 -11 p.m.

“It’s a community event,” said Evans. “Anybody is welcome to come down to the street dance.”

Saturday begins with a Kiwanis pancake breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. and registration, 8-11 a.m., at Mills Park. Also from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the park is the show ’n’ shine, music, food, vendors, while judging runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. At the park as well, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the younger set gets into the act.

“This year for the first time,” said Barry Wynott, another organizer, “we have Home Depot coming out to help (children) build small kit vehicles.”

At 5:30 p.m., there is a cruise from the park to the Nugget and a sock hop will be in the ballroom there from 6-10 p.m. Evans said the sock hop cost is $5 for participants, $10 per person or $15 per couple. The sock hop fun includes Hula Hoop, bubble-gum blowing and costume contests. Costumes encouraged are from the 1950s and ’60s rock ’n’ roll era.

On Sunday, from 8-10:30 a.m., Kiwanians again serve pancakes. From 8 a.m. to noon there is an SDCC Poker Run; from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., a show ’n’ shine, music, food and vendors again are available, including Great Fixins’ BBQ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and at 1 p.m. comes the awards ceremony.

Among the awards, Evans said, will be such crowd-pleasers as one from the Sexy ’60s, a “best makeout car,” Sheriff Ken Furlong’s preference and his choice as “most likely to get busted.”

Evans said the weekend event should wrap up about 3 p.m. Sunday.