So, what is it about the Hot Summer Nights car show that draws thousands of people to downtown Danville? Is it the fact that it usually IS a hot summer night? Is it the memories evoked from a simpler time? Or, is it the CARS?

At the final car show of this season, I walked among the crowd taking pictures and listening - to see what I could learn. There were husbands explaining to their wives (and vice versa) about the different models of cars produced by a manufacturer - and in what color they were available, by year. There was the group of men pouring over a vintage engine, discussing the “reservoir” (and they didn’t mean the one in Lafayette). There was the young boy yelling, with that youthful enthusiasm of a ten-year-old, “Mom, look at this one!!” … causing more than just HIS mother to respond - and laugh! There were the couples strolling, hand-in-hand, lost in thought, taking in the sights. And then there were those just enjoying the music and camaraderie - all the way up and down Hartz Ave.

Numerous times during my observations, I’d notice a small smile that started to automatically appear from the corner of my mouth as I watched the various scenes play out. It’s that small-town connection. It’s unique. It’s summer and … It’s Danville!

The question is, “How many car shows should be held in our downtown each summer?”

There used to be four - one every Thursday night in August (”Hot August Nights” - very easy to remember). Then, the schedule changed to “two shows in July and two in August” - on alternate Thursday nights (let’s make it a little more challenging). This year, there were two car shows in total - one in July and one in August (now, we need to mark it on the calendar).

Some of the downtown businesses are not in favor of the car shows, as they believe that attendees do not patronize their stores. Others, like restaurants and beverage suppliers, are full to overflowing. Still others believe that the exposure will cause people to return at a later date.

This year, the town also tried implementing two shopping nights downtown, on alternate Thursdays, with closed streets, in lieu of the two additional car shows. Once again, I heard the same comments from some of the businesses on Hartz Ave. that, while people were out and about, they were not BUYING from the stores. My unofficial poll of random attendees on the street revealed that folks enjoyed being outside and seeing their neighbors. Some of the men told me that they came downtown (by mistake) because they thought it was the night for the car show.

So, are there other factors at play? I circle back to the original question - what is it that motivates the turnout? Is it the cars? Or would other types of events result in the same draw? (think “Chili Cook-off in the Livery Mercantile”). Do we know what the residents of Danville would like to attend? Maybe we should ask them. So, I am.
What is your preference?