If you have a penchant for classic metal and custom rides, then Auburn is the place for you this weekend. Downtown and the Gold Country Fairgrounds will be awash with classic vehicles as the Auburn Cruise Nite and Newcastle Lions’ eighth annual Hotrod & Custom Get Together squeal into town. Friday night, thousands will hit Lincoln Way as the second Cruise Nite show of the season gets underway from 5 to 9 p.m. As always, the show is free to the public and classic car owners alike. Cruise Nite accepts pre-1972 cars and trucks. “We had a successful turnout (for the first show of the year),” said Dick Kiger, co-chairman of the Auburn Cruise Nite Committee. “The weather cooperated, the folks turned out in numbers — it was quite a night.” Spectators can get up close and personal with more than 300 classic rides that line Lincoln Way from the bottom to the top of the street. The Auburn Cruise Nite Committee is asking attendees to pay a little more attention to some of the rules of show this season, including the rule for no dogs at the event. “With 3,000 to 4,000 people out there, it’s an accident waiting to happen,” said Kiger, who noted multiple signs are posted prohibiting dogs. “We’ve been lucky nothing’s happened.” If you don’t get your fill of automotive nostalgia on Friday night, then Sunday the Newcastle Lions have got your covered as they bring their popular show to the Gold Country Fairgrounds for the first time. “We’re real excited about it. Because it gives us an opportunity to expand our show in an area that we were kind of held back at due to that fact that Newcastle was limited on its spectator parking,” said Alex Blanca of the Newcastle Lions. The eight annual Hotrod & Custom Get Together will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking is free for the spectating public. If you have a pre-1964 classic that you would like to showcase at the event, the cost is $30 per vehicle. Blanca estimates there could be as many as 100 cars at the show’s new location. The get together averaged 150 vehicles in Newcastle, and 65 were pre-registered as of Tuesday. The Newcastle Lions show will also share the grounds on Sunday with the Mother Lode Model T Club as it will be hosting its annual Swap Meet, starting at 5 a.m. Cars for the Newcastle Lions event will begin to line up at the fairgrounds at 7 a.m., according to Blanca, and the day will feature a live broadcast of KAHI AM 950’s Cruisin’ Garage with Butch Gardner from 7:30 to 9 a.m. KAHI’s Dave Rosenthal will also be the emcee of the event. The Hotrod & Custom Get Together will also feature live ’60s surf music from the band Vibro Count, and 11 vehicle awards will be given out, including “Best Custom” by Joe Bailon, considered the father of the Candy Apple Red paint color for custom cars. “It’s a great opportunity to bring the kids and show them what talent and creativity can do for you,” Blanca said. “If you can spark their interest, isn’t that what it’s all about? It’s a great family sport. This is something you can share.” So strap in for a fast weekend in Auburn. Andrew DiLuccia can be reached at andrewd@goldcountrymedia.com. __________ 26th season of Auburn Cruise Nite When: 5 to 9 p.m., Friday Where: Lincoln Way, Downtown Auburn Cost: Free Show open to: Pre-1972 vehicles. Future dates: July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10 For more information: Dick Kiger (530) 885-4364 Newcastle Lions 8th annual Hotrod & Custom Get Together When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday June 13 Where: Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn Cost: Free parking and admission for spectators; classic vehicles $30 at the gate Show open to: Pre-1964 vehicles Other activities: Pit crew competition; Poker Fun Walk, prize drawings, barbecue, snack bar; live music For more information: Alex Blanca (916) 663-2179