LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Thousands of vintage cars are flooding the streets of Louisville this week.
The 50th annual Street Rod Nationals conference kicked off Wednesday morning with a parade featuring about 50 vintage muscle cars. The parade started at Cardinal Stadium and ended at 4th Street Live.
IMAGES | 50th Annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville
Vintage street cars pull into Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville after taking part in a parade featuring about four dozen hot rods that began at Cardinal Stadium. About 10,000-11,000 vintage cars will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Dozens of cars converge at Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville on July 31, 2019 as part of a parade kicking off the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville. More than 10,000 cars are expected to be on display at the Kentucky Expo Center from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Profile view of one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Closeup view of the engine inside one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Side view of one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Side view of a Fire Safety vehicle, one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Closeup view of one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Pictured: a closeup view of the rear quarter panel and wheel of a Pontiac Grand Prix. It's one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Two women pose next to one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
One of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center.  (WDRB/Doug Smith)
One of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Head-on view of one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Pictured: profile view of a hot rod at Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville on July 31, 2019. It's one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Side view of one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Head-on view of one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Closeup view of the grille on one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
One of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Pictured: one of the thousands of cars taking part in the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals at the Kentucky Expo Center this weekend. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Closeup view of one of the older vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. The show brings about $15 million in economic impact to the Louisville area. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Closeup view of one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
One of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
Pictured: closeup view of an engine one of the thousands of vintage cars that will be on display at the 50th annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville from Aug. 1-4 at the Kentucky Expo Center. Louisville has hosted the event for 25 of its 50-year history. (WDRB/Doug Smith)
According to a news release from the NRSA, the vehicles in the event range in value from $20,000 to $150,000. The total value of all the vehicles is estimated at $350 million.Â
The event, sponsored by the National Street Rod Association, brings 10,000-11,000 vintage cars from the 50s, 60s, 70s (and most of the 80s) to the city, along with an estimated 30,000 people. The visitors are expected to spend about $15 million at local businesses, hotels and restaurants during the 4-day event.Â
"They fill our parking lots of restaurants, they fill the parking lots of our hotels, and they fill the parking lots of the Kentucky Expo Center -- and we're so glad they're here," said David Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues.Â
The street rods will be parked around the Kentucky Exposition Center through the weekend. Even though the event is at the fairgrounds, officials say the cars will be cruising on local roads and interstates through the weekend.Â
There's a special guest at this year's show: collector and car restorer Carl Casper. He will be there all four days to sign autographs and book copies. This year's event will again feature a vintage auto parts swap meet, an arts and crafts fair, and a special area called "Builder's Showcase," which will display 40 cars built by the top professional rod shops from across the country.
Louisville has hosted the Street Rod Nationals for 25 of its 50-year run.Â
Tickets are $19 for adults (13 and older) and $6 for children (6-12). Children five and under are free when accompanied by an adult. A special discounted $15 admission is available for military personnel with proper military identification, NSRA members with a current membership card or anyone 60 years of age or older.Â
Discount tickets are on sale at O’Reilly Auto Parts and will be available during the event at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
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