3 things to know when Redding's Kool April Nites cruises back in town next week
Grab your black leather jacket, poodle skirt and saddle shoes. Kool April Nites, Redding’s annual citywide celebration of classic cars, rolls into town from April 21–30.
The classic car show started in 1990 is now a Redding classic in its own right, with 10 days of activities including 25 show and shines, a popular car cruise that parades through Redding's streets, a poker walk, live music and dancing, craft and vendor booths and a drive-in movie that celebrates 1950s and ‘60s car culture.
The primary venue is the Redding Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Drive, but other action will take place around town throughout the 10-day event.
“It’s like Christmas for me all week,” said Ken Coster, vice president on the all-volunteer KAN board of directors, and the event’s show and shines director.
Coster owns four classic cars, he said. “I don’t know how many people have said to me, ‘I used to have one of these in high school.’”
While putting on the event costs about $150,000 to $200,000, it brings in about $8.7 million to the community; meaning hotels and restaurants are filled and people are shopping, said KAN’s board president Debra Fox of Redding.
Proceeds from KAN events go to youth organizations, Fox said. Since 1990, the board gifted over a million dollars to non-profits, schools and other Shasta County organizations.
Roughly 15,000 participants and spectators attended the Big Show at the Civic in 2022, she said.
What’s new this year
In addition to annual favorites, new this year is a giant cornhole tournament from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 27 at the Redding Civic Auditorium.
Similar to a giant beanbag toss, the game has gained popularity over the past 20 years, according to the American Cornhole Association in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cornhole is played with a slanted board with a hole in it, about 32 feet away from the player, Coster said. Cost is $80 for a team with two players.
“Local car clubs are putting together teams,” Fox said.
Sign up in advance on the KAN website at koolaprilnites.com because “it’s probably going to sell out fast,” Coster said.
For official Cornhole rules, go to https://www.playcornhole.org/
3 no-miss events to attend
If you have to choose from the dozens of doings, Fox and Coster offer advice what not to miss.
“You’ve got to go to the Big Show” at the civic auditorium from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, Coster said. “That’s where you can see up to 2,000 cars.”
There are also 25 show and shines ― exhibits of spiffy hotrods, classic and custom cars and other vehicles ― to visit around town, he said: “You can go to three or four shows a day in Redding.”
Download a list of show and shines at the KAN website: https://koolaprilnites.com/
Both Fox and Coster recommended the drive-in movie ― technically also a walk-in movie ― taking place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26 outdoors on the grass at the Redding Civic Auditorium. This year’s film is the 1978 film classic “Grease”, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Admission is free.
Classic car owners will drive onto the grass to watch the movie, Coster said, but attendees can bring lawn chairs or a blanket for seating.
Regardless if you drive-in or walk-in, show up early to get a good spot, he said.
If you can fit a third event into your schedule, check out the 6th annual Spring Fest Car Show from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 21 in downtown Redding at 1501 Market St. “It kind of kicks the whole thing off,” Coster said.
What to know about the Classic Cruise
Almost as popular as the Big Show is the Classic Cruise: A three-lane parade of classic cars that will drive a loop from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 28.
The city shuts down the streets along the route: From Hilltop Drive, to Dana Drive, to Churn Creek Road to Cypress Avenue, Fox said.
Spectators can bring lawn chairs or stand on the sidewalk, but many hotels and restaurants on the route are hosting watch parties, Coster said. His favorite place to park and watch is at Cicada Cantina Mexican restaurant on Hilltop Drive, but “Logan’s (Roadhouse) is fun and Best Western has a nice party.”
If you go, you need to park early, or you won’t get in, he said. Come no later than 4:30 p.m. or 5 p.m.
People can also park in spaces outside the route and walk to it, a good option if you plan to leave early.
Where to find a schedule, buy tickets to events
Because event planners are volunteers, most have fulltime jobs, Coster said. While there aren't people to answer phones, people with questions can leave a message at 530-226-0844.
A better resource is the KAN website at koolaprilnites.com, where people can download the full schedule of events, buy tickets, volunteer, see a list of show and shines and their locations and get other event information.
Tickets are also available at NAPA Auto Parts in Anderson, Redding and Weaverville.
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 in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: 3 things to know when Redding's Kool April Nites cruises back in town
