Update: The Parkway Cruise tentatively scheduled for tonight on the Onondaga Lake Parkway has been canceled, according to the Onondaga County Parks Department, and the parkway/Route 370 will remain open for normal traffic use. ***** More than 7,500 hot rods, antique and custom cars are expected at the Syracuse Nationals Friday at the New York State Fairgrounds. Classic cars from...
Update: The Parkway Cruise tentatively scheduled for tonight on the Onondaga Lake Parkway has been canceled, according to the Onondaga County Parks Department, and the parkway/Route 370 will remain open for normal traffic use.
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More than 7,500 hot rods, antique and custom cars are expected at the Syracuse Nationals Friday at the New York State Fairgrounds.
Classic cars from around the country, including Hawaii, will drive into Central New York for a weekend full of live music, tech seminars and fireworks, said director Bob O’Connor.
One of the highlights this year is a $1 million 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Seville Cabriolet. The car was built by John D’Agostino of Kustom Kars of California as a tribute to Elvis Presley. It features more than 100 carats of pavé diamonds and crystals and 10 carats of amethyst stone.
“It’s just a neat car, it’s customized,” O’Connor said. “It’s a beautiful piece of art.”
The Cadillac is one of six cars featured in the Million Dollar Garage as finalists in the first Gene Winfield Award competition for automotive excellence.
There will also be a on- and off-road track and obstacle course where visitors can test drive new Jeeps. Other events include lawn mower races, burnout competitions and a demolition derby at the grandstand track.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: 11th annual DuPont Syracuse Nationals.
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: New York State Fairgrounds, Geddes.
TICKETS: $17 for adults, $8 for ages 6 to 12. Available at the gate.
MUSIC: Includes the Dunes and the Del-Tunes, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday; Flipside, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday; It’s My Party, 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday; worship service by Power Company, 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday; Ruby Shooz, noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Burnouts and flamethrowers show at the grandstand, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday (plus Figure 8 races and a demo derby Saturday); fireworks, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closing ceremonies, 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Contact Fernando Alfonso III at falfonso@syracuse.com or 470-6078.