Early car shows heat up spring season

Classic cars cruise University Avenue around Porky's in St. Paul in nice weather. But you can see vintage cars at many shows and "cruise-ins" into the fall. Check this column every Friday for a list of shows and other automotive events occurring during the next seven days. NOTE: Spectators' admission is FREE at all events unless noted.

Tonight

Prior Lake Roll-In, Main St. downtown (5-9 pm, weather permitting; 952-440-2088).

City Centre Mall, St. Francis (5 pm-dusk; 763-753-6116, www.stfranciscarshow.com). Weekly event's opener.

Saturday daytime

TSI Transmission Car Show, Brooklyn Park (10 am – 2 pm; 763-424-6630, www.gstarod-custom.com). Classics, hot rods free; free food.

Top 21 Car Show, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Burnsville (10 am – 3 pm; 612-965-5037, mntoyx4@yahoo.com). Free show.

Shine & Show at Tropical Brew Coffee Bar & Deli, Big Lake (10 am – 3 pm).

Saturday night

St. Paul Classics Show, Kellogg Blvd. downtown (5-10 pm; 651-484-7406, www.downtownbeatclassics.com, cavanlasch@downtownbeatclassics.com). First of six shows for 1975 and older vehicles.

Fatboys Bar & Grille, East Bethel (6-10 pm; 763-434-8181).

A&W Drive-in, Little Canada (6-9 pm; 651-484-5133, 651-231-1433).

Autocross, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount (8 am registration; $35 to drive if any spaces available; 952-431-0630, 952-221-0443, www.nordstern.org).

Monday

35th Annual Memorial Day Car Show, Blacksmith Lounge, Hugo (9 am – 3 pm; 651-735-4656, 651-233-8563, rrshaw@comcast.net, www.northstarwheel.com). The area Studebaker club welcomes all makes, years, models; music, noon observance.

Elk River Lions Club Car Show, Sherburne County Fairgrounds, Elk River (10 am – 3 pm; donations to Minnesota Lions Diabetes Fund welcomed; neilhanderson@msn.com).

35th Annual Greenberg Memorial Day Car Show & Swap Meet, Isanti County Fairgrounds, Cambridge (8 am – 3 pm; $4, under 12 free; 763-389-1823, 763-370-6012, 612-724-9268). This is the area Hudson club's show.

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

Wagner's Drive-In, Brooklyn Park (5 pm-dusk; 763-533-8262, 763-315-4450).

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

Denny's Classic Diner, Rogers (5 pm-dusk; 763-428-1574).

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

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

Thursday

Minnetonka Drive-In, Spring Park (5 pm-dusk, weather permitting).