The 2024 dates for Cruise Nite have been scheduled for July 16-21, 2024.
Every year in July, the CNAC (Central Nebraska Auto Club) encourages anyone who wants to relive the memories of the “Good Ole Days” along with the love of the classic cars to come and enjoy in the fun. The six-day event customarily, events are held the third weekend in July. Cruise Nite begins Tuesday evening with the Show & Shine event at BluePrint Engines Plant (2915 Marshall Ave). The event runs from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There will be food trucks on site. Accepting employment applications.
Then the events continue on Wednesday evening, 6:00 – 7:30 pm with the Classic Car Tour to area assisted living and nursing homes including Nebraska Veterans Home. Participants should stage their cars in the large parking lot south of the First Baptist Church, 3610 6th Ave. (old Kearney High School). Cars will follow a scheduled parade route visiting Kearney’s senior residents. Tour concludes at the Petersen Senior Center parking lot.
Thursday evening begins, 5:00 – 7:30 pm with a get-together Show & Shine sponsored by Midway Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, 515 2nd Ave. Oldies music and a food truck will be on site. The evening continues, 8:00 – 10:00 pm with live band reminiscent of days gone by. Think a tribute to Buddy Holly or Elvis. Tickets will be available online as the event draws near.
Justing Burch photos used with permission
The “Show & Shine” at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds, 3807 Ave. N (parking lot) with oldies music and food and fun start the festivities on Friday, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. The annual classic & collectible car auction is held with Rusty Rhynalds, the auctioneer at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds Expo Building (Big Building), Call Rusty (308) 832-7407 for information. The activities run from 7:00 to 10:30 pm.
All the activities build to a crescendo on Saturday. The annual Show & Shine will host hundreds of classic vehicles parked on “The Bricks” in downtown Kearney for all to get up close with, beginning at noon, through 4:00 pm. Morning registration begins at 8:00. Early registration will be available on this website, in early March. The always popular Eagle Riders Bike Show can be enjoyed at the Eagles Club, 17 W 24th St. beginning at 10am through 4:00 pm.
At 5:00 pm the activity rolls out on the streets of Kearney beginning at Railroad & Central and proceed north to CHI Health Good Samaritan. The streets are filled with classic cars and thousands of spectators taking in the parade around the downtown area in their lawn chairs. Cars can be seen all around Kearney well into the night. Don’t forget the burnout competition, 7:00 – 9:30 pm at Graham Tire, 5708 2nd Ave. (north 2nd Ave.)
The Cruise Nite weekend winds down on Sunday Show & Shine at Classic Car Collection (east end of Cabela’s building, 3600 US-30), 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. A nominal entry fee includes free admission to Classic Car Collection. Trophies awarded. Hamburger and hot dog meals available. Hosted by UNK Wrestling Team.
Behind the entire event is a philanthropic desire is to raise money for numerous charities in the Kearney Area. Among the charities that have benefited from Cruise Nite Kearney are Buffalo County Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, Flight for Hero’s, Make A Wish Foundation, Goodfellows, Jubilee Center, City of Kearney Police Department, and scholarships for students in automotive tech.
Over the years Cruise Nite Kearney has showcased Model A & Model T classics from the turn of the century through the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s, and countless cars from the 1950s. You’ll see Chevrolet, Ford, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Studebaker, Rambler, AMC, Mercury, Lincoln, Javelins, Mercedes, Austin Healey, and of course many Mustangs, Thunderbird’s and Corvettes, plus many more makes and models.
Cruise Nite Kearney would not be possible without the help of our corporate sponsors. Please visit the sponsor’s page on our website and say “Thank-You” for supporting “Cruise Nite Kearney” when you are in their businesses.