Deadwood readies for Kool Deadwood Nites classic car event

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DEADWOOD (AP) — The motorcycles have rolled out of South Dakota's Black Hills, and the classic cars are motoring in.

Two weeks after the end of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, thousands of automobile lovers began to flock to Deadwood on Thursday for the four-day Kool Deadwood Nites.

The event that features cars, music and activities ranging from a bubble gum blowing contest to a poker run is in its 17th year. Organizers expect more than 600 classic cars and as many as 30,000 people.

"I think this is the premier car event in the five-state region," organizer Larry Bennett told the Rapid City Journal. "I was a judge for five years, and I think I've seen a car from every state except maybe Alaska and Hawaii."

Chamber of Commerce Director George Milos told the Black Hills Pioneer that the show provides a big boost to the area's economy.

"We use an equation that if each family that comes to Deadwood spends $250 on hotels, food, drinks and gaming, that would be a seven to eight million dollar impact on the community in just four days," he said.

Tags: black hills, kool deadwood nites, classic cars, life, entertainment, deadwood, tourism, 1950s, updates