Fifties Fever, northern Nevada's hottest classic car fest, is throwing open the door and laying out the welcome mat.
This year's 22nd annual celebration of those fabulous fifties is open to all vehicles, with 10 classes and a whole slate of awards just for modern cars.
Together, says Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Authority Marketing and Special Events Coordinator Darrel Field, the classics and the moderns will make for one spectacular event.
From Friday, July 25, through Sunday, July 27, rocking around the clock will take on new meaning as more than 200 participants take in everything from drag races to show and shines, a slot tournament, a poker run, a burn out contest, dancing in poodle skirts, doo-wop entertainment and thousands in cash and prize giveaways.
Friday, Fifties Fever car registration will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at the Winners Inn. At 2 p.m., the 22nd annual NNRA Street Drags will take to Traders Way in Winnemucca.
The event, which is sponsored by the Northern Nevada Racing Association (NNRA), is rumored to be one of the few legal drag races in the world that still takes place on a public street.
Technical inspections will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Gates will open to the public at 5 p.m. and test runs will follow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The jackpot race will begin at 9 p.m.
Participants should register with Fifties Fever before starting their engines, though, because cash awards double with registration. Cost to spectators is $7; children ages 6-12 get in for $2.
Friday evening's "Cruise" will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Winnemucca Boulevard, while the "Sensations" provide background music during a live concert in the east parking lot of the Winners Inn.
From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Winners Inn will host the Participants' Choice Car Awards & Mixer. This "just for fun" car show allows classic car buffs to pick their favorite hot wheels. The event promises plenty of food and great music. Parking at the Winners begins at noon.
For those who really want to rock around the clock Friday, the "Las Vegas Road Show" will perform live in the lounge at the Winners Inn from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday, registration will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Winners Inn. Also at 9 a.m., the NNRA Street Drags will produce more tire-screeching competition on Traders Way. The fun will begin with the required tech inspection from 9 a.m. until noon. Test runs will be held from 10 a.m. until noon, with races beginning at 1 p.m. Cost to spectators is $7; children ages 6-12 get in for $2.
The Winnemucca Inn will get in on the action Saturday with a "Fabulous Fifties" celebration that will include a free Slot Tournament from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Up to $1,000 in prize money will be up for grabs; registration begins at 10 a.m.
Also at The Winnemucca Inn, a Show and Shine will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with plenty of great DJ music and trophies.
The annual Fifties Fever Poker Run will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning at the Pig
BBQ & Pub. Drivers are invited to take a leisurely tour of Humboldt County's finest businesses in an effort to create the best poker hand possible.
Hands must be turned in between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Model T Resort Casino, just west of the C-Store; prizes will be awarded at 4:15 p.m. and the event is open to the public.
The Model T Resort Casino will heat up the afternoon with a "Hot Seat" cash giveaway from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with prizes totaling $1,000; no registration is required.
Then from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., the fun will continue at the Model T with a Show and Shine and everybody's favorite Free Play Giveaway. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., prizes will be awarded to a lucky car registrant throughout the evening. Participants must register separately from Fifties Fever; late registrations will not be accepted.
Saturday evening's "Cruise" will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Winnemucca Boulevard, followed at 8 p.m. by the annual street dance at the Pig BBQ & Pub featuring the "Alias Smith" band.
Dubbed northern Nevada's best party band, Alias Smith produces a great mix of dance music that will keep folks on their feet. Lead vocalist Lori Smith delivers nonstop talent along with Chuck Wilbur (guitar and vocals), Dominic Dimaggio (bass, vocals), Larry Job (keys) and John Goodlife (drums, vocals).
The Model T Resort Casino will feature music from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., while the Winners Inn will once again feature the "Las Vegas Road Show" in the lounge from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, parking for the annual Fifties Fever Show and Shine will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by vehicle judging from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cars will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Organizers have a "magical" treat in store as comedian-writer-magician Jen Adams entertains car show crowds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Bridge Street.
Also beginning at 10 a.m., Nixon Park will rev up for an afternoon of fun as the DJ takes to the mike to kick off the day's entertainment as well as host a variety of contests for kids of all ages beginning at 11 a.m.; registration for those contests will take place beginning at 10 a.m.
Also at 11 a.m., participants may register for the first annual "Burn Out Contest," which will follow at noon on Trader's Way; grand prize is $500.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., "Rob Ely as Elvis" will take to the stage for a rock-and-rolling good time. The Fifties Fever Car Awards Ceremony, which will take place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., will award trophies in more than 40 classes, including stock, modified, convertible, truck as well as five classes just for modern cars; "Best of Classics" and "Best of Moderns" trophies also will be awarded.
The afternoon will lead up to a perfect finish as all those hot wheels ooze onto Bridge Street for the Fifties Fever Cruise Downtown at 4 p.m.
Participants should be cautioned, however, that for the safety of all concerned, event organizers and local law enforcement have adopted a zero tolerance policy on "burn outs" during this year's "Cruise." Violators will be ticketed and removed.
Plus, that afternoon from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Nixon Lawn will be filled with crafters and vendors selling a variety of delicious, fun and unique wares.
For more information on this year's Fifties Fever celebration, please visit www.fifties-fever.com, or contact the Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Authority at (775) 623-5071, ext. 102, or toll-free at (800) 962-2638.
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