Catch drag racing and more on Labor Day weekend

By Jim Bohen, St. Paul freelance writer

August 28, 2008 — 10:44am

The drag racers at the Coca-Cola Muscle Car Shootout will hit 200 mph as they roar through the quarter mile at Brainerd International Raceway this weekend (1-866-444-4455, www.brainerdraceway.com). If that's not part of your Labor Day weekend plans, however, there are some car shows and cruise-ins in the greater metro area and in a few outstate cities. This week's events are listed here. Spectators admitted free unless noted. Check www.autoswalk.com for more information.

Friday

Minnesota Valley Rally, downtown Shakopee (6-10 pm, 952-445-9668, bryan@tsc1890.com).

O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Lakeville (6-8 pm, www.MnHotRods.com).

North St. Paul History Cruze (6-10 pm; 651-773-8274). It's this year's final event.

DQ Grill & Chill, Edina (6-10 pm; 952-830-0330). Final 2008 gathering.

County Market lot, St. Francis City Centre Mall (5 pm-dusk; 763-753-6116, www.sffriniterally.org).

Prior Lake Roll-in (5-9 pm, 952-440-2277).

Saturday

Anoka Saturday Night River Run, downtown (5 pm-dusk; 763-427-1460).

20th Annual Wild Rice Days Car Show, Grand Timber Bank, McGregor (9 am–3 pm, 218-768-2410).

Sunday

41st Annual Twin Cities Collectors' Car Show & Swap Meet, under the water tower, Aquatore Park, Blaine (8 am–3 pm; $4; 651-770-8334; call 612-963-7690 or 763-370-6012 day of show). The Hudson/Essex/Terraplane Club sponsors this long-running event.

1st Annual Muscle Car Show, Boston's the Gourmet Pizza, Maple Grove (11 am–3 pm, 763-416-0705).

Ernie's Drive-in Car Show, Sturgeon Lake (10 am–2 pm, 218-727-7797).

Monday (Labor Day)

8th Annual Labor Day Orphan Car Show, Blacksmith Lounge, Hugo (8 am – 3 pm, 651-223-8563, rrshaw@comcast.net, www.northstarwheel.com). The Studebaker club's show features vehicles 1975 and older. Many brands no longer made, including the Minnesota-made Pan, will be there.

Top 50 Summer Car Show, Jack & Jim's Restaurant, Duelm (9 am–3 pm, 320-968-9995).

Labor Day Car Show, behind City Hall, Cloquet (10 am–3 pm, 218-727-7797).

Culver's, Eagan (6-9 pm; 612-685-1272, 612-747-1546).

Tuesday

Denny's, Otsego (5 pm–dusk, 763-441-3924).

VFW Post 295, South St. Paul (6-9 pm, 651-455-7408).

El Tequila, Inver Grove Heights (5:30-8:30 pm; 651-455-1650).

Wednesday

Oak City, Brooklyn Center (7-9 pm; 763-531-0235, 612-529-4630).

Central Park, North Branch (6:30 pm departure for a short cruise to a restaurant; 651-674-0020, 651-283-3359).

Turtle Bar, Shakopee (6:30-9 pm, 612-741-5906).

Culver's, Monticello (5 pm-dusk, 763-295-9536).