Annual car show helps local children

Has it really been 10 years since Mike Kinney and his merry band of North Las Vegas neighbors hosted their first co-birthday party, car show and charity fundraiser? Kinney can't believe it either, but he promises Gasoline Alley's 10th annual Birthday Bash on Sunday, May 24, in Eldorado Park (5900 Camino Eldorado, North Las Vegas) will be, in his own enthusiastic words, "over the top."

Committee chairman and co-birthday celebrant Kinney said since the inaugural event in 2000, more than $155,000 has been raised for local Clark County children's charities.

"With everyone's support, we will pack the park and have the biggest and best birthday bash ever," Kinney said. "We are truly changing children's lives through this event and it doesn't get better than that."

This year's bash is again a two-day event, kicking off with a party and car show Saturday, May 23, from 4-10 p.m. at the Cannery (2121 E. Craig Road, www.cannerycasinos.com) and continuing Sunday, May 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eldorado Park. Both events are free and open to the public.

Kinney and his posse of 50 birthday bash volunteers make the event possible, in addition to the 1,300 car clubs and street rod owners from all over the West Coast. They are expecting more than 400 entries (110 are already preregistered) and 5,000 to 6,000 people for the car show, which will showcase hot rods, customs, motorcycles, trucks, low riders, race cars, bicycles and more.

As in past years, Kinney has invited special guests. This year's list includes Bo Hopkins, who starred as Joe Young, president of the Pharaohs Car Club in the movie "American Graffiti." Hopkins will display the movie's fully restored 1951 Mercury with fellow cast member Paul LeMat, who played John Milner. Also slated to attend is Stacey David, seen formerly on TNN's "Trucks" and who now appears on SpeedTV's "Gearz."

The "carnival with a car show in the middle" will include more than 40 vendors and exhibitors, as well as the popular Gasoline Alley's Birthday Bash raffle and live auction, with a special drawing for a three-day, two-night getaway at Planet Hollywood Resort to be awarded to one of the car show participants.

In addition to the car show, Kinney promises a wide variety of exhibitors, vendors, Shriner clowns and balloon artists. Entertainment will be provided by KKLZ 96.3 FM's live remote, as well as dance exhibitions and dog obedience demonstrations. Representatives from the North Las Vegas Police Department, Nevada Highway Patrol and Las Vegas Fire Department will also attend. For motorcycle fans, Arlen Ness Motorcycles of Las Vegas will display a selection of its rolling art.

Proceeds from the car show registrations and other fundraising events benefit the Lili Claire Family Foundation, an organization that assists children and families living with neurogenetic conditions that may affect physical, intellectual and behavioral responses.

"This is an opportunity for our special kids to be kids all day," Kinney said. "They can run through the park, play on the grass and actually participate in something that's for them, too."

For more information regarding Gasoline Alley's 10th annual Birthday Bash, contact Kinney at 371-7469, gasolinealley@cox.net or visit the event's Web site at www.birthdaybash.net.