IMAGES | Street Rod Nationals returns to Louisville for 50th year

Jul 31, 2019

About 50 vintage automobiles took part in a procession from Cardinal Stadium to 4th Street Live in downtown Louisville on July 31, 2019. The parade kicks off the 4-day Street Rod Nationals sponsored by the National Street Rod Association. This is the 50th year for the event. (WDRB photo/Doug Smith)

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

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Street Rod Nationals Cars Pull into 4th Street Live - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Parade Fourth Street Live - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Car Pulling into 4th Street Live - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Engine CU - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Side View Black - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Orange Fire Safety Car - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Ford Closeup - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Grand Prix Rear Quarter Panel

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)

Street Rod Nationals Women Pose - 7-31-9

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)

Street Rod Nationals Convertible - 7-19-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Tutone Black - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Pink Head-On - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Hot Rod with Flames - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Side View - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Orange Tutone - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Grille Closeup - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Orange Hood Up - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Extra Vintage with Engine Visible - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Orange GTO - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Yellow Tutone - 7-31-19

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)

Street Rod Nationals Engine Visible - 7-31-19

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

Discount tickets are on sale at O’Reilly Auto Parts and will be available during the event at the Kentucky Exposition Center.