Car shows are a great way to take advantage of our nice weather. So it's no surprise to see quite a few shows featuring classic cars and street rods scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, along with some free "cruise-ins" next week. Most shows offer extras like music and food. When the weather is colder or damp, fewer older vehicles turn out.
(NOTES: Spectators are admitted free unless indicated otherwise. Vintage cars visit Porky's on University Avenue in St. Paul on most nice days.)
Tonight
Prior Lake Roll-In, Main St., downtown (5-9 pm; 952-440-2277). This weekly event runs into October.
County Market lot, St. Francis (5 pm-dusk; 763-753-6116, www.sffriniterally.org). A weekly event that opens tonight and runs until the Friday after Labor Day.
Saturday
St. Paul Downtown Beat Classics Car Show, Kellogg Blvd. between Wabasha & Robert (5-10 pm; 651-224-4133, www.downtownbeatclassics.com). Downtown St. Paul gets into the car show scene with the first of six Saturday evening shows this summer for pre-1975 vehicles.
Anoka Saturday Night River Run (5 pm-dark; 763-427-1460). This every-Saturday event often fills downtown Anoka with classic cars.
7th Annual TSI/Smith Nielsen Car Show, TSI Transmission Shop, Brooklyn Park (10 am–2 pm; 763-424-6630, speedymotorsports@comcast.net, www.gstarod-custom.com). Talk high-performance engines with the owner of the Power Factory.
Sir Henry's 7th Annual Car Show & Downhill Motorless Drag, school parking lot, Garden City (9 am–3 pm; snoopy@hickorytech.net, www.formerlycranes.com). The motorless drags start at 1:30.
Monday (Memorial Day observed)
34th Annual Greenberg Car Show & Swap Meet, Isanti County Fairgrounds, Cambridge (8 am–3 pm; spectators $4, under 12 free; 763-389-1823, 612-724-9268). The area's Hudson- Essex-Terraplane club sponsors trophies and dash plaques at this long-running show for cars of all kinds.
34th Annual Memorial Day Car Show, Blacksmith Lounge, Hugo (9 am–3 pm; show cars $10 with no pre-registration; 651-735-4656, rrshaw@comcast.net, www.northstarwheel.com). The local Studebaker club's annual trophy show also has dash plaques for 300 display cars, the number attending last year's event.
3rd Annual Elk River Lions Car Show, Sherburne County Fairgrounds, Elk River (10 am–3 pm; donations accepted for Second Sight; 763-441-0033, neilanderson@msn.com).
Top 50 Car Show, Jack & Jim's Restaurant, New Duelm (9 am–3 pm; spectator admission unknown; 320-968-9995).
A Day in the Park Car, Truck & Cycle Show, Lake Tomah, Wis. (9 am–4 pm; 608-343-4697, todds39@hotmail.com).
Tuesday
American Legion Post 334, Coon Rapids (5 pm-dusk; 763-421-6260).
El Tequila, Inver Grove Heights (5:30-8:30 pm; 651-455-1650).
Wednesday
Oak City, Brooklyn Center (7-9 pm; 763-531-0235, 612-529-4630).
Central Park, North Branch (6:30 pm departure for a short cruise to a restaurant; 651-674-0020, 651-283-3359).
Pizza Ranch, Waconia (6-9 pm; 952-442-9255, 952-448-4946).
Denny's Classic Diner, Rogers (5 pm-dusk; 763-428-1574).
Thursday
The Pizza Shop, West St. Paul (5-10 pm; 651-224-4133).
Minnetonka Drive-In Restaurant, Spring Park (5 pm-dusk).
