The last car shows of the year

Walter Sprague
Arts and Culture Reporter
 
Local car enthusiasts took the opportunity during August and September to travel and show off their classic and modified cars before the long cold winter set in. From Aug. 22 through Aug. 25, Deadwood, South Dakota, hosted the 25th annual Kool Deadwood Nights. These four fun-filled days were filled with musical performances from ’60s groups as well. The kickoff concert featured The Herman’s Hermits, starring Peter Noone at 8 p.m. on Aug. 22, on the Main Street Stage. The same stage starred The Kingsmen on Aug. 23, with The Fabulous Thunderbirds taking the stage on Aug. 24.
But for those people interested in classic cars, hotrods and other modified pieces of Detroit metal, the primary reason to go was to show and see prized four-wheeled treasures, modified hot rods and lots of chrome. Thousands of spectators and hundreds of custom and classic owners descended on Deadwood for car shows, classic car parades and a car auction. 
Troy and Melissa Cade, owners of Outlaw Motors in Newcastle, took 12 cars for showing at this event, using three trailers to haul them. During the event, they sold four vehicles, but they had to come home with more than they went with, after buying six cars while they were there. According to Melissa, the trip was a complete success in another way. 
“Troy thought it was so cool when David Stith (a Newcastle resident) bought a 1966 Chevrolet Caprice from him.” She said. “That way, he was able to see it occasionally. It made Troy happy that it stayed local.” 
Both Cades were also thrilled to see Stith drive his prized car in the parade at Deadwood.
Stith was happy when he saw the Cades watch him drive in the parade (and as they cheered him). He was also happy to learn that his car was the only Caprice in that event. 
“It was fun to have the only one there,” he said. 
Stith intends to keep the car painted satin black. He said that almost everyone tries to get a mirror finish on their vehicles. But it pleases him to have a unique car in more ways than one.
After Deadwood, the Cades took eight cars to Loveland, Colorado, on Sept. 7 for the Specialty Auto Auction. Melissa was happy to report that they sold four cars and bought four others. When you are in the business, Melissa indicated, it’s important to have a continual revolving stock on hand.
The end of the summer car shows happened right here, in Newcastle, during the Fall Festival on Sept. 21. While the weather was chilly and windy, that event also included dance performances and vendor tents. Of the 48 vendors who signed up, according to Tasha Townsend, 43 showed up. 
Despite Mother Nature trying to intrude on yet another summer event, the stormy weather held off long enough to ensure the success of the Fall Festival and the 13th annual Newcastle Shine and Show. Troy and Melissa took four cars to show during the event. Again, they were thrilled that Stith also showed his ’66 Caprice. During the burnout after the show, David Stith even let the horses loose on his Chevy and burned rubber along the stretch of Main Street designated for this fun part of the day.
With winter coming fast and snow already making it harder to travel, most car shows in the area have come to an end. But next year will bring out the car enthusiast again and enthusiasts will be ogling these classic and custom cars once more.