Start your engine. The 2026 Kool April Nites classic car festival kicked off Friday evening with the Spring Fest Car and Bike Show in downtown Redding. Proud motorists displayed their tricked out vehicles along Market Street.
What follows is nine days of show-and-shines, concerts, movies, the Classic Cruise, the central KAN Big Show and philanthropic organization the Asphalt Cowboys’ pancake breakfast.
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Friday night’s event featured food and vendor booths, performers and live music with a concert by Walkabout Blues.
Friday’s Spring Fest and show-and-shine was the first of more than 75 events on the 36th annual Kool April Nites schedule.
Other events the weekend of April 18 and 19 include show-and shines at Lithia Chevrolet, Anderson River Park, Box Drop Mattress Store, Gaia Hotel & Spa, Country Bowl and the Cascade Theatre — all on Saturday.
On Sunday, more show-and-shines roll out at Kent’s Meats and Groceries, Locust Street Auto Repair, Win River Casino, Mountain Gate RV Park, Dudes Drive Inn and Colt 45’s.
Biggest events happen next week including the Classic Cruise on Hilltop Drive and Churn Creek Road on Friday, April 24; KAN’s Big Show on Saturday, April 25, at the Redding Civic Auditorium; and the Asphalt Cowboy’s Pancake Breakfast ($7) from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26 — also at the civic.
For more information on Kool April Nites events and to buy tickets, go to koolaprilnites.com.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Kool April Nites kicks off classic car shows in Redding
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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