Site icon Hobbs News Sun

Hobbs August Nites is back

Hobbs August Nites is coming back on a reduced scale for the first time since 2011.

Set for Saturday, Aug. 19, the event held annually from 1997-2011 will include an antique car show and cruise, a concert and vendors in the downtown area of Hobbs.

Sponsored by the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce and the Center for the Arts, the one-day event this year could be expanded in the future, according to Chamber CEO and President Patty Collins.

“We’re still working on a lot of the details. We were going to do just the car show and the concert, but we have just gotten so many people with positive responses that we’re looking at the possibility of doing a few extra things,” she said. “We just didn’t plan for a big event, so we’re trying to accommodate with some room.”

The car show is certain, she said. “Anyone that owns a 1979 model or older and they want to show their car, they’re welcome to show it in the car show.”

Registration forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 400 N. Marland Blvd., and at the Center for the Arts, 122 W. Broadway St.

“We are in the process of taking applications for food truck vendors. We have a few of those that are interested,” Collins said. “They just haven’t turned in their forms yet.”

The antique car cruise is set to start 5:30 p.m. that Saturday.

“If they want to cruise, we’re going to block off Broadway Street and let those old cars cruise,” Collins said. “So, if people want to come see the cars cruising in motion, I think that will be a lot of fun.” The Center for the Arts’ Downtown Sound Summer Concert Series scheduled a concert for the same night with Greg O’Brien and the Spoodoo Cadillacs, the main attraction. They will be performing music from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s at the Shipp Street Plaza, starting at 6 p.m.

In addition, the winning band from the July 29 “Battle of the Bands,” sponsored by the Center for the Arts, will perform at the Hobbs August Nites concert.

Collins said this year’s Hobbs August Nites event initially was scheduled to be smaller, with just one day, but response to the concept of bringing back Hobbs August Nites has almost overwhelmed the chamber.

She added that sidewalk sales also are in the works.

“We’re hoping some of the downtown businesses will do some sidewalk sales,” she said. “If they’re not downtown and they still want to do sidewalk sales, they’re more than welcome to tag onto Hobbs August Nites and do their sales wherever they need.”

With that much growth beyond initial plans, Collins expects the event to become annual again and attract the thousands it once did.

“I’m sure next year we’ll have to expand it back to two days. We’ve really had a great response from the public,” she said. In 2011, the crowds were estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 people over the two-day event.

To help make the event most enjoyable for more people, the Chamber of Commerce and the Center for the Arts are seeking sponsors, with levels from $500 “Presenters” to $5,000” Gold.

For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 575-397-3203.

Exit mobile version