KAN: A Premier—10 Day—West Coast Classic Car Show Reaches Record Setting Conclusion

Every Spring for the past 37 years, something very special happens in Redding, an active city in Northern California, that punches way above its weight, with a population of less than 100,000.  It’s called  Kool April Nites, a 10-day, epic event when classic cars fill the busy streets, where 10,000+ classic car enthusiasts congregate on Redding’s sidewalks—and rooftops—to watch hundreds of classic cars, pickups, specialty vehicles, and hot rods cruise Redding’s main thoroughfares. And let’s not forget a record number of souls (10,000+) that endured pain and suffering walking great distances to attend the Kool April Nites’ “Biggest Show ‘n Shine,” with 2,000 classic cars displayed on the inside and outside of Redding’s Civic Auditorium.

From left to right are Kool April Nites (KAN) staff:  Rhonda Hanson;  Frankie Ordaz; Shantasy England (Sponsorship Director; Ashton Williams; Ryan Dorosz (President); Bob Doelker (Inside Stage Director/Sergeant-At-Arms); Karin Otey-Caruso (Director-Of-Vendors); and Mark Caruso (Director-Of-Vendors).

According to the president of Kool April Nites, Ryan Dorosz, more than 400 volunteers stepped up to organize logistics, guide participants, manage events, coordinate vendors, and handle the countless moving pieces that turned weeks of planning into a memorable celebration for the entire region.

Theresa Bryan owns this 1956 aqua teal Corvette convertible, shown on the right with her granddaughter, Jazmyne, and friend, Kathi Heinrici.

Equally important to the success of the 37th annual Kool April Nites were the KAN sponsors: A Golden State…Action News Now…Aflac…Amy Bates Bookkeeping…Anderson Chamber of Commerce…Anderson River Park Show ‘n Shine…Asphalt Cowboys…Authentic Impact…AWP Sales and Marketing Solutions…Box Drop…Boomtown BMH…Burnsini Vineyards…Cary’s Tire and Auto Repair…California Touring and Transport…C Cookies…Cascade Theatre…Chick-Fil-A…Crown Motors…Colt 55s…CR Gibbs…Community Alliance Network…Country Bowl…Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce…Dignity Health Connected Living…Disappearing Act…Phil Doyle Photography…Dudes…Easy Events…Eat First…Eddy’s Tire Service…Edward Jones…Evanhoe, Kellogg and Company…Emergency Command Support…Fall River Brewing…FOMO…Gaia Hotel.

Even more KAN sponsors: Grange Co Op…Gem Pop…Hilltop Springs…Hampton Inn…Heavenly Donuts…Huckleberrys…Inked Up Graphics…Interstate Batteries…JW…J&A Meeks Handyman…K2 Redding-Ca…Kent’s Meats and Groceries…KISS Me Novelty Lingerie…Keebler’s…Lidie Powersports…Lithia Chevrolet of Redding…Little Mickey Mouse.

Rex Ballard, a member of the SHASTA UNFILTERED eNewspaper team, with two of his grandchildren.  Not pictured is Grandma Elisa, who’s apparently camera-shy.

David and Jill Armstrong of Buena Vista own this 1941 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup.  Was cherried out with help from Brian Bring of Red Bluff (not pictured).

Linda’s Gift Gallery…Locust Street Auto Repair…M.C. Hunter Photography…Mechanics Bank…Midas…Mountain Gate…My Umbrellas…NFM Lending…Napa Auto Parts…North State Security….OK…Orchard Nutrition Center…O’Reilly…George Petersen Insurance Agency…Prime 42…Plaza Interiors…Players Pizza…Pete’s Brewhouse and Restaurant.

Ken and Jeanette McConnell, of Anderson and Palo Cedro, with their baby blue 1971 Chevy Corvette convertible.

More KAN sponsors:  Choose Redding Lodging…Red Lion…RUSH Personnel…R Photography…Riverview Golf and Country Club…Visit Redding…Redding Motorsports Park…Riddick’s Sports Pub…R&R Auto & Truck Repair…Redding Fashion Alliance…Redding Rodeo…Redding Rock 106X…Raising Cane’s…Redding Chamber of Commerce…Redding Subaru…Redding Now…Summit Exterior Cleaning…Subaru…Signsations…Simplicity Flooring & Tile…Sunbelt Rentals…Simpson University…Shasta Harley-Davidson…Shasta College…Subarama…Space of Trinity Massage Therapy.

Tom and Cortney Wolsey, of Orange County, California, and friend Mark Kallmes, of the Bay Area, with a 1963 Chevy Impala @Low Rider.

Thank you, KAN sponsors:  The Corn Dog…Theresa’s Photo Service…Three Shastas Bar & Grill…The UPS Store…The Park…Turtle Bay Exploration Park…Twin View Towing…US Bank….Win River Resort and Casino…Willow Springs and VIVA Downtown.

  Linda and Bill Kuen, Rich Krombie, and Ron Lord, all from Reno, Nevada, with a 1957 (gorgeous!) Ford.

Although official numbers have yet to be tabulated as this article goes to press, it’s already been verbalized by some KAN associates that this year’s version of Kool April Nites, if you consider the massive number of people attending the Big Show (10,000) on Saturday, April 25, 2026, was an unprecedented success.  Until next Spring!

Brothers Stanley and Steve Borbq and friend, Barbara Jones, with a 1959 Bianchina TR.

From left is Carl Seike, owner of this white 1956 Corvette, with friends Monty Martin, Dave Chesterman, Linda Perotti, Rob Ornz, and Mike La Torre.

Jeff and Tammi Josephson, owners of the H&H Brands Salsa Company, are based in Cottonwood, California.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers Hisle, Morton and Rickard.

James Shelly of Pioneer, California, is the proud owner of this 1970 Chevy Nova SS.

John Bruno, a retired Fire Captain living in Shasta County, California, was hoping to win this brand new engine block.

Redding residents Kathy Ulrich, Larry Smith and Laura Hobbs enjoy the Kool April Nites “Big Classic Car Show.”