LOUISVILLE — One of the most anticipated U.S. summer traditions returns this week to Louisville as it gears up for the annual August gathering of hundreds of brightly colored street rods and vintage vehicles wheeling into town for the National Street Rod Association’s (NSRA) Annual Street Rod Nationals, August 1-4, at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).
This year’s gathering will mark the 55th anniversary of this popular summer ritual. Louisville has hosted the group for 30 years, with this year being the 27th consecutive year the city has put out the welcome mat.
Typically, this event is one of the world’s largest automotive participation events, generating nearly $11.5 million in estimated economic impact for Louisville’s local community from this four-day show. This year’s Street Rod Nationals is estimated to turn out nearly 60,000 participants over the event days and more than 10,000 street rods, customs, classics and muscle cars from all 50 states. No other event in the world attracts the number and quality of specialty cars 30 years old and older.
Since 1968, Louisville Tourism’s primary goal has been to enhance the area’s economy through tourism development — to promote and sell Louisville as a world-class destination. Tourism is the third largest industry in Louisville hosting 19 million visitors in 2019, generating an estimated economic impact of $4.2 billion which supports nearly 70,000 local tourism-related jobs.
Vehicles in attendance range in value from $20,000 to $150,000 with the average being approximately $35,000. The total value of the street rods attending will be more than $250 million. All of the street rods, custom and classic cars will be on display for public viewing.
Along with all the cars on display, the four-day event includes product seminars, a trade show, arts and crafts fair, a vintage auto parts swap meet, and plenty of entertainment.
Three days of music acts will be located under the big top tent on the west lawn of the Kentucky Exposition Center. Live music will be featured from 12 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 12 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The National Anthem will be performed by Chaise Jennings Thursday at 9 a.m. followed by Alex Reed on Friday and Jerry Newby on Saturday. Following Newby will be a special performance of “God Bless the USA” by Dean Heckel.
The music lineup and schedule are as follows:
Thursday
12-1:30 p.m. — Kevin & Lauren
2-4:30 p.m. — The SSG Experience
5-8 p.m. — The Swerve
Friday
12-1:30 p.m. — ABP Unplugged
2-4:30 p.m. — Laurie Jane & The 45’s
5-8 p.m. — Bleu Phonque
Saturday
12-1:30 p.m. — Dean Heckel
2-4:30 p.m. — Lampus
5-8 p.m. — Soul Circus
Additionally, Southern Gospel music by the popular national band Sunday Drive will be played during an all-denominational church service on Sunday at 10 a.m.
This year’s event will once again include a special area called “Builder’s Showcase” displaying cars built by the top professional rod shops in the country. The Showcase offers a rare opportunity to see these vehicles under one roof at the same time.
All NSRA activities are open to the public. Tickets are $20 for adults (13 and older) and $6 for children (6 – 12). Children five and under are free when accompanied by an adult. A $45 Family Pack ticket price is available for two adults and three children. A special discounted $18.00 admission is available for military personnel with proper military identification and NSRA members with a current membership card or anyone 60 years of age or older. One discounted admission per person. Discount tickets are on sale at O’Reilly Auto Parts and will be available during the event at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Advance tickets are available at the Kentucky Exposition Center Box Office. Use KEC gates 1, 4 & 6 to enter the event.
Show hours are:
- Thursday, Aug 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 2, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 4, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
For more information, contact: Craig Meads, NSRA marketing director, (417) 827-0099, cmeads@nsra-usa.com or visit www.nsra-usa.com.
