Redding Chamber Hosts Annual Kool April Nites “Show & Shine At Crown Motors”
- Jerry Sanchez, Sr.
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
On a cool April night, 4-24-2026 to be exact, multi-hundreds of adult classic car enthusiasts, eager to check out one hundred (100!)“better-than-new-pre-1979” classic cars and trucks, convened for the 21st-annual edition of the Kool April Nites Show & Shine, held on the 12-acre grounds of the Crown Motors car dealership on Cypress Avenue in Redding, California, 96001.
Hosted for the 21st time by the Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce, the iconic event was the only ticketed Kool April Nites Show & Shine, offering food from over 10 area restaurants, cash bars, vendors, a live DJ and, of course, the REAL stars of the show—100 classic cars and trucks, most from the North State, but also about a dozen that hailed from nearby western states, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Idaho.
You couldn’t help but notice three gentlemen, attired in crisp white shirts, slacks, and even silk ties, strolling around, engaging as many attendees as possible. The older, distinguished-looking one, Steve Roberts, is the Owner and General Manager of Crown Motors, while John Taylor and Jason Luther are the Sales Manager and Controller, respectively.
And if you were there, you probably couldn’t help but be awe-struck by a jet black 1937 Plymouth P150. Hopefully, you had a brief interlude with the truck’s owners, Gayle and Dave Martin. Or maybe you noticed this gleaming bluish teal 1969 Bronco, owned by Russ and Cheryl Beilleaux and their son, Adam. If you chatted them up, you’d have learned that Russ is retired from the Redding Police Department, and Adam, following in Dad’s footsteps, is serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in that very same police department.
You may’ve also been impressed by a glaringly purple Roadrunner, with its trunk open, a Jay Leno poster proudly displayed inside. The Roadrunner’s owner, Ron Lim, is a widely-known fellow, he of Lim’s Cafe, a Market Street fixture for over 80 years; But no, Ron’s not retired, his friend, Jack Lunter will tell you, as Ron continues on as the owner of Lim’s Family Pharmacy. Go……Ron!
Did you see that bright red convertible? As one observer, Cheryl Sanchez, remarked: “That’s the only convertible, so far, that I’ve seen.” As it turns out, that Super convertible is owned by Redding residents, Fave and Carolina Stranger. And as it is with all parties, at least of the entertainment variety, big or small, it’s always a good idea to have MUSIC, whether to listen to….or dance to….., so that option was provided by DJ Jennifer Fontana.
If you went and wanted to leave with some memorabilia, such as a T-shirt emblazoned with the Kool April Nites logo, then you would have purchased one from Eric Jimenez or his wife, Brittany. The Jimenez couple owns Inked Up Graphics, the official apparel vendor for Kool April Nites. Bingo!
Organizing all of this fun, frivolity, and classic car entertainment was the Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce, which, as previously noted, has been at it since 2005. Remarked Todd Jones, the President and CEO of the Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce: “Our mission is to significantly improve the business climate and contribute to the economic health of Shasta County, and having the Kool April Nites events for 10 straight days, with all of its offerings, especially this one at Crown Motors, certainly adds to the equation.”
Crown Motors, located at 555 Cypress Avenue, Redding, California 96001, has been operating as a family-owned business for over 40 years, offering new and used vehicles from Dodge, Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Ram. It’s open 7 days a week and can be reached at 530–232–1234, 530-241-4321, or 800-916-CROWN. For complete details, visit www.crownmotorsredding.com.
