August 6, 2009

Neon Classic arrives Friday
Three days of classic cars and rock and roll provide a summer highlight for the whole family

By Kathy Ursprung
of The Chronicle

     The Dalles takes on an “American Graffiti” flair as the Neon Classic Weekend comes to town for three days of fun centered on classic cars, old-fashioned rock and roll, and the people who love them both.
     Friday night’s Cruise In starts around 7 p.m. on Second and Third streets in downtown The Dalles. Spectators line the streets of “the gut” while classic cars share the road with newer models in that timeless teen-age Friday night cruise tradition.
     Several other activities are planned for the evening, including music by AC/DC tribute band Live Wire on the Court Street stage, and a Parking Lot Party at the other end of the cruise in the Bicoastal Media parking lot at 719 E. Second Street from 6 to 10 p.m. Spectators at Bicoastal can bring their lawn chairs or sit on the bleachers and enjoy live music from Speedqueen Underground, a battle of the sexes contest, belly dancers, food booths and on-site interviews with cruisers.
     Saturday’s Show in the Shade car show puts the classics on display at their shiny best from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sorosis Park.
     Music that evening will be via the Fantasy Flashback Concert on 92.7 KMSW, from 6 to 11 p.m. hosted by Shannon Milburn.
     The radio concert relives 15 years of Neon Nights rock and roll via live cuts from performers Loverboy, Eddie Money, 38 Special, Night Ranger and others.
     Sunday wraps up the weekend with high-rpm fun at the Dallesport Drags. Racing starts around 10 a.m. at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport (see story, sports page or page A6 of the print edition of The Chronicle).