Hot fun: Catch the joy at this summer's "cruise-in"; car events

Most nice days, classic cars cruise University Avenue to Porky's in St. Paul. But vintage cars cruise to many other places, as the following list of free "cruise-ins" illustrates. Some are informal gatherings; others are large and may have music and trophies. Sponsoring restaurants usually offer specials. Events below marked with an asterisk (*) begin tomorrow or next week. Cruise-ins held last year that weren't confirmed by press time could still appear in future Auto Scenes.

Friday

North St. Paul History Cruze, downtown (every Fri., June 5-Sept. 18), 6-10 pm, 612-801-8107.

Prior Lake Roll-In, downtown (every Fri., May 15-Aug. 28 except July 31), 5-9 pm, 952-440-2789.

Minnesota Valley Rally, downtown Shakopee (every other Fri., June 5-Sept. 25), 6-10 pm, 612-250-3708.

DQ Grill & Chill, Edina (every Fri., May 29-Aug. 28), 6-10 pm, 952-830-0330.

County Market, St. Francis (every Fri., May 22-Sept. 4), 5-dusk, 763-753-6116, www.stfranciscarshow.com.

Saturday

St. Paul Classics Show, Kellogg Blvd. (May 23, June 6, July 18, Aug. 15 & 29, Sept. 12), 5-10 pm, cavanlasch@downtownbeat classics.com, 651-484-7406.

Anoka Classic Car Show (May 16, then 1st & 3rd Sat., June-Sept.), 5 pm-dark, 763-421-7130.

Historic Hastings Cruise-In (every other Sat., May 30-Oct. 3), 5-9 pm, 651-438-7949, 651-437-4400, www.hastingddowntown-mn.com/cruise-in/index.html.

Fatboys Bar & Grille, East Bethel (2nd & 4th Sat., May-Sept.), 6-10 pm, 763-434-8181.

*Classic Rides & Rods, Annandale (1st Sat., May-Oct.), 11 am – 2 pm, 320-292-9236.

North Side Car Show, North Hudson, WI (every other Sat., June 6-Sept. 26), 4-8 pm, 715-377-2725.

Sunday

Culver's, Champlin (May 17, June 14, July 12, Aug. 16, Sept. 20), noon - 4 pm, 763-506-0290.

Monday

Tuesday

5-8 Grill & Bar, Champlin (2nd Tues., May-Sept.), 5-8 pm, 763-425-5858, 763-315-4450, 63galaxieman@jmknowlton.com.

Culver's, Savage (3rd Tues., May-Sept.), 6-9 pm, 952-223-0332.

VFW Post 295, South St. Paul (every Tues., May 12-Sept.), 6-9 pm, 651-455-7408.

Wednesday

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

Lookout Bar & Grill, Maple Grove (3rd Wed., May-Sept.), 6-9 pm, 763-424-4365, 763-416-0494, 612-581-8730.

Pizza Ranch, Waconia (2nd & 4th Wed., May-Sept plus Oct. 14), 5-9 pm, 952-448-4946, 612-396-4145.

Culver's, Buffalo (3rd Wed., May-Sept.), 5-9 pm, 763-682-5483.

Denny's Classic Diner, Rogers (4th Wed., May-Aug.), 5-dusk, 763-428-1574.

Tootsie's Tavern, Big Lake (3rd Wed., May-Sept.), 5-9 pm, 763-263-2574.

Mom's Place, South Haven (2nd Wed., May-Sept.), 5-7:30 pm, stevelilred@meltel.com.

Thursday

*Medina Entertainment Center (1st Th. cars, 2nd Th. motorcycles, May-Sept.), 5-dusk, 763-478-6661.

*Minnetonka Drive-In Restaurant, Spring Park (every Th.,informal, weather permitting, May-Sept.), 5-dusk.