STURGIS, S.D. – With the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the rear-view mirror, classic cars have now taken over the Northern Hills for the annual Kool Deadwood Nites festival.

The annual event runs through Saturday, August 23^rd.

The six-day celebration invaded Sturgis Main Street today (Wednesday), as over a hundred classic cars were on display where motorcycles dominated last week.

Folks walked Main Street checking out all the classic Chevy’s, Ford’s, Pontiac’s and more.

For many, it is the premier automotive event of the year and this year’s event is expected to draw record-setting crowds.

Amanda Kille is the Executive Director of the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. She says typically, they have over 800 registered classic cars, and that’s in addition to the nearly 300 that will be sold at the auction block at Deadwood Mountain Grand.

This event is open to the public and free to attend and has four auctions in three days. An online memorabilia auction is a new addition this year and bidding has opened.

The expanded vehicle auction lineup means the cars will start rolling across the auction block earlier than in previous years, with the first day of live and online vehicle bidding beginning at noon on Thursday, August 20 at the Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center.

Thursday’s auction will feature more than 70 classic cars and trucks. Friday’s auction begins at 9 a.m. with more than 100 vehicles scheduled to sell, followed by another 100-plus classic cars and trucks on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. The auction is being conducted by McPherson Auction & Realty Company, with live and online bidding available all three days. All consignment slots are full with a waiting list.

Attendees can look forward to a jam-packed schedule, including a People’s Choice voting competition on Thursday, driving and walking poker runs, and a major car competition at the Deadwood rodeo grounds on Saturday. The festivities will culminate on Sunday morning with the famous classic car parade down Main Street at 9:00 a.m.

To ease the parking congestion that comes with such a massive turnout, the Chamber has introduced a new dedicated lot for large, oversized vehicles to free up space downtown for spectators. Free shuttles will also run Thursday through Saturday from Lead High School, the Lead Visitor Center, and Cedar Ridge Spa.