Kool Deadwood Nites Rolls Into Its 32nd Year
Classic cars, free concerts and a full weekend of events take over Deadwood through Sunday, Aug. 23
Classic cars built in 1973 and earlier are rolling into Deadwood this week for the 32nd annual Kool Deadwood Nites. The six-day gathering began Tuesday and continues through Sunday, Aug. 23, with car shows, live music, poker runs, an auction and a parade through Deadwood, Central City and Lead.
Thursday’s schedule includes driving poker runs from noon to 5 p.m., People’s Choice voting from 4 to 9 p.m. and the opening day of the Classic Car Auction at Deadwood Mountain Grand. Million Dollar Reunion will play the free 19th Annual Sock Hop on the Main Street stage at 8 p.m.
The auction continues at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday also brings the 18th Annual Rod Run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by three free concerts on the Main Street stage. Stereo Trip begins at 5 p.m., Play Some Petty takes the stage at 6 p.m. and Hotel California closes the night at 8 p.m.
Saturday begins with classic-car judging at the Days of ’76 Event Complex from 7 a.m. to noon. Two walking poker runs will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with awards presented on the Main Street stage at 5 p.m.
Saturday’s free concert lineup includes Hot City Soul at 5 p.m., The Box Tops at 6 p.m. and FJ Tribute, featuring the music of Foreigner, Journey and other classic-rock acts, at 8 p.m.
Mr. Wu’s will also host free afternoon and evening concerts through Saturday, including The Long Run on Thursday, Thunderstruck on Friday and Long Live Rock on Saturday.
The weekend closes Sunday with the Kool Deadwood Nites parade. Lineup begins at 7 a.m. at the rodeo grounds and Ferguson Field, with the parade starting at 9 a.m. The route travels through Deadwood before continuing into Central City and Lead.
A final Show and Shine will take over Main Street immediately after the parade and continue until 2 p.m. Awards will be presented at 11 a.m. in the History and Information Center parking lot.
Free parking shuttles will operate Thursday through Saturday. Service from Cedar Rose Spa to the Deadwood Welcome Center runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Shuttles from Lead-Deadwood High School and the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center to the Deadwood Fire Station run from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Vehicle registration remains available at the Deadwood Welcome Center. Participating vehicles must be from 1973 or earlier, but the concerts and public viewing areas are free to attend.
Schedules are subject to change. The complete schedule and registration information are available at Deadwood.com.
Know Before You Go
Dates: Kool Deadwood Nites continues through Sunday, Aug. 23.
Admission: The Main Street concerts, parade and public car-viewing areas are free.
Vehicle registration: Participating vehicles must be from 1973 or earlier. Walk-up registration is available at the Deadwood Welcome Center.
Parking and shuttles: Free shuttles run Thursday through Saturday from Cedar Rose Spa, Lead-Deadwood High School and the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center. No trailer parking is available at the shuttle sites.
Sunday parade: The parade begins at 9 a.m. and travels through Deadwood, Central City and Lead. The final Show and Shine follows on Main Street.
Schedule: Events, locations and start times are subject to change. Check the complete schedule at Deadwood.com.