Lewiston's Hot August Nights — Simply Sizzling!
Photos & Story By Annette Barton & Sandie McCollum
Lewiston, Idaho - The 20th Annual Hot August Nights held in downtown Lewiston was a sizzling success with over 250 vehicles on Thursday night for the Roger’s Motors “Tune-Up Show” and over 355 vehicles for the main show and shine on Saturday, August 26,2006.

During the three-day event several local bands played downtown and at the park as did Jimi Jamison, formerly of the group “Survivor”, and also Tommy James and The Shondells. The Friday night cruise was a three-hour eye-candy fest of pro-street rods, chopped, dropped and frenched customs, mighty muscle cars and bone stock classics. The streets were lined with cheering spectators, some enveloped in tire smoke. For the most part, only registered cruisers were allowed into the cruise lanes and a few overzealous non-classic car cruisers were shown the “out” lane by the Lewiston Police Department.

On Saturday morning Dennis Jensen ushered in the first-rate classics for the last time as Hot August Nights chairman, having decided to retire fully and enjoy his hobbies. Dennis — thanks! Your Main Street “welcomes” will be missed!

Car clubs filled both sides of Main Street with their rides and signs, such as the Cascade Cougar Club, Walla Walla Hot Wheels, the Valley Crankers Club, Hot Bodz Customs, Mopars Unlimited of Idaho and Mopars Unlimited of Seattle. Sponsors for this huge event include Lewiston Chamber of Commerce and Roger’s Motors. The $9,000 that remained after event bills were paid went to the L-C Valley Boys and Girls Club fund and $17,000 was awarded in grant money; $110,000 has been given out in community improvement grant money by the Hot August Nights committee since 1996.

All car buffs paid tribute to some young men who passed away this year: Tyler Lee Boyd of Clarkston, whose brothers brought his memorial 1970 Pro Street Camaro; Andrece Helm of Lewiston, whose family brought his 1974 custom Chevy Nova SS and Alex Van Vogt of Pomeroy whose family brought his 1969 Dodge Coronet 440. Each is and will be greatly missed.

Lewiston’s HAN is something you should experience, watch the CruZin’ Calendar of Events and check it out in 2007. You’ll not be disappointed!