A three-day car and vehicle show will make downtown a different world this weekend, July 10-12, with a bundle of events, all kinds and types of vehicles, and many sideshows.

There is no admission charge to attend the downtown shows and events, except a Hot Wheel rental fee for those who want to join the Hot Wheels race competition.

Cruise Chairman Jeff Caldwell said up to 500 vehicles are expected — cars, pickups, rat rods, motorcycles, farm tractors and semi-trucks.

Vehicles are also expected to cruise the one-way streets of Jeffers and Dewey on Friday and Saturday evenings. Organizers caution that it is a cruise, not a race. Spectators can set up chairs along the street to check out the vehicles.

Friday morning

The scheduled events begin Friday morning with a completely unrelated, lively event — a dog diving board competition. From 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., dogs will jump from a board into a pool of water, competing for the highest and the longest distance.

The show is called “Dock Dogs” and originates in Florida, Caldwell said. Spectators can bring their dogs to make jumps too.

Dock Dogs will be located north of Sixth St., in the parking lot west of the Pizza Ranch, alongside the Jeffers St. overpass.

Also Friday

From 5-8 p.m. Exhibitors can pick up their packets at Sixth and Dewey while DJ Bobby Downtown spins lovable songs from the days of rock and roll.

At 8 p.m., vehicles can enter a glow & shine show at Sixth St. No registration required. The popular band, Strings Attached, will play hits from most every era at the center stage, just east of the Pizza Ranch. The music and the show will last until 10:30 p.m.  

On Saturday

Events fill Saturday from early in the morning until late at night.

Registration is from 6–9 a.m. at the east side of Ace Hardware. A Fast Pass lane will be available for those who have purchased a VIP registration.

Vehicles will be parked and displayed on the downtown streets during the all-day show.  

Bikes and cars fill Dewey St. downtown, 2025

From 7:30–9 a.m., a pancake feed will be held in front of Deborah’s Legacy near Fifth and Dewey, presented by the North Platte Kiwanis.

At 9:30 a.m., morning ceremonies are planned on the center stage.

From 11 a.m.–5 p.m., the Dock Dogs return for another day of diving.

From 10 a.m.-noon, spectators can drop local celebrities, such as Mayor Brandon Kelliher, into a dunk tank.

A car audio competition is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.-noon.

At 11 a.m., Hot wheels races will be held at Sixth and Dewey. Participants can rent a Hot Wheel car at the scene and compete.

At noon, the annual rockabilly pin-up girl competition will be held at center stage, attracting beautiful women dressed in 50s pin up outfits.  

At 12:30 p.m. Registration opens for a pedal tractor pull, with competition beginning at 1 p.m.

1:30 p.m. More Hot wheels races at Sixth and Dewey.

At 2:30 p.m., awards for best vehicles in each division will be presented at center stage, along with giveaways plus a pedal car auction.

From 5-8 p.m. DJ Bobby Downtown returns, spinning favorite songs on the center stage.

From 8-10:30 p.m. The country-rock band Southern Fryed will play on the center stage.

And, from 10:30–11 p.m., DJ Bobby Downtown will finish the night with more music.

On Sunday

From 8-11 a.m. Sunday, the Kiwanis return to serve pancake breakfast, this time near Double Dips Ice Creamery at Sixth and Dewey. Freewill donations are welcome.  

At 10 p.m., another unrelated but significant event will be held. Quilts of Valor will be presented to military veterans at the same location.

At noon, the final event of the weekend will begin at a different location – a full-size tractor pull at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds.

© 2026 The North Platte Bulletin. All rights reserved!