The 19th annual Thunder on the Plains Car Show will roll into the Levelland City Park on August 15 and 16.
The weekend will kick off Friday night at the South Plains Best Western. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Vehicle owners can register for the poker run for $10 and the car show for $25. For those who register on Saturday for the car show, the price will be $30.
The poker run begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. Participants in the poker run compete for a cash prize with 50% of the pot going to Thunder on the Plains and 50% to the winner. Competitors drive to five different stops during the run and blindly pull a poker chip with a different number at each location.
The one with the highest total from the chips wins.
The poker run is followed by an open cruise from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. as drivers take a tour around the downtown square and Avenue H.
The cruise brings the community together with some bringing lawn chairs to sit and enjoy.
“The cruise is a throwback to everyone’s high school days with no hassel and it is a lot of fun,” said Lydia Turner. “You just drive around, watch pretty cars and its all joy.”
Lindy Williams explained that the cruise has always been her favorite event during the weekend.
“You have everybody out there and visiting. KLVT has the music blaring all the old tunes and everybody has a good time,” said Williams.
All vehicles are free to join up with the cruise at no cost unless they want to take part in judging that night for a small fee of $10 which can be purchased at registration on Friday at the Best Western. Several awards will be handed out during the cruise for those who register.
The fun continues on at the city park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where all spectators enter for free. In addition to the car show, guests can visit a variety of vendors to pick up tasty treats and cool gifts as well as take part in other events.
In attendance will be Rich Puryear as he will showcase a handful of his American Graffiti collection during the car show.
Kids can compete for bragging rights and trophies in the Hot Wheels race along a specially made track.
Racers can bring their own car from home or buy one on site for $1.
The only requirement is that it is actually a Hot Wheels car to fit the track. Racers compete two at a time. Winners get back in line for another round while the fallen get a popsicle or candy. The top three take home trophies.
Meanwhile, Adults can compete in the annual burnout contest at noon. It will be safely moderated by members of the fire department.
This year, the burnout contest will conclude with a King of the Hill competition which includes the top three finishers.
All the fun leads up to the presentation of 18 car show awards picked by participants.
“One of the best thing about registration in the morning of the car show is you never know what is going to come through the gate,” explained Turner.
Both Turner and Williams recounted that every year brings a new surprise in vehicle entries. Classes include: Best Paint, Best Chevrolet, Best Ford, Best Mopar, Best Engine and more.
The trophies winners take home are truly unique with Best Engine crafted every year from car parts and Best Paint also handmade to fit the category.
There’s also a People’s choice class chosen by anyone who would like to grab a form and vote. All of this helps go to the fundraising efforts of the weekend as events help local organizations like Meals on Wheels, the Wallace Theater, Toys for Tots and the rotary Club’s donation of bicycles to students with perfect attendance.
The funds also go toward Thunder on the Plains’ South Plains College scholarship, which helps pay for local students to pursue an education in automotive or auto body degrees.
For more information on the car show or to enter, call Cody Poage at (806) 549-3270 or find Thunder on the Plains on Facebook.