How We Started...

• 2001-2003: The early years of this event saw a transformation from a gathering of cars in the street to a large car show held a local city park in North Las Vegas, NV. During the winter/spring of 2002, a series of events took place that forever changed the future, and the fundraising potential, of Bob & Mike's Birthday Bash. A series of meetings were held with representatives of the City of North Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Department regarding use of Eldorado Park. While there was interest in the concept, Park representatives were also somewhat concerned since an event of this type had not ever been held at this location. However, Bob and Mike were able to demonstrate the positive reception from the previous years’ event. Finally, numerous neighbors and fellow street rodders had become part of the Gasoline Alley “family”, ensuring that all of the “behind the scenes” actions necessary to host such an event were performed to perfection.
• Each year, children attending the event were provided with their own “goodie bag”, chock full of toys, balloons, activity books, and “hero cards” from numerous NASCAR/NHRA/Monster Truck race teams. When combined with the efforts of the Gasoline Alley family and easy park access provided for both street rod participants and members of the general public, the 2002 event was a big hit. Attendance continue to expand both in registered vehicles and members of the public. Gymnasts flew through the air and passed out helium filled balloons, Geoffrey the Giraffe from Toys R Us made a personal appearance, and everyone was thrilled with the Airborne Ranger and Monster Bus Monster Truck displays.
• 2004: While preparing for the 2004 Birthday Bash, a few changes occurred. First, Bob Simkins chose to pursue active retirement with his beautiful wife Suzie and will no longer be directly involved in the event. Second, an event Steering Committee was formed to assist Mike Kinney (who will continue to serve as the event principal) with overall event activities. Perhaps the most visible change was a new event title: “Gasoline Alley’s Birthday Bash”. As noted previously, the success of this event is a direct reflection of the tireless efforts of everyone in the Gasoline Alley family, so the Steering Committee determined our event title should reflect their commitment.
• On Sunday, May 30th, 2004, Gasoline Alley’s Birthday Bash once again confirmed the incredible ability of both street rodders and members of the local community to join together for an amazing event that continues to expand its ability to assist children in need throughout southern Nevada. In addition to over 350 vehicles, including customs, street rods, race cars, sports cars, and dragsters, an phenomenal array of exhibitors and presentations helped ensure that everyone in attendance, especially children, were treated to a memorable experience. The days’ weather even proved to cooperate, providing mild temperatures, soft breezes and not a single cloud in sight. On air personalities from KXPT 97.1 FM, “The Point”, provided live remote broadcast throughout the day, which prove to significantly enhance attendance.
• 2005 and Beyond: To coin an old phrase, “the more things change, the more they stay the same“. The 2005 event once again changed the future of Gasoline Alleys’ Birthday Bash by expanding to a two-day event! On Saturday, May 28th, 2005, a HUGE “kick-off” party was held at The Cannery Hotel and Casino, including designated parking, great vendors, great food, and phenomenal live entertainment throughout the day!
• Similar with previous years, on Sunday, May 29th, 2005, the event moved to Eldorado Park in North Las Vegas. The weather proved to provide the perfect day to view all of the amazing vehicles on display, visit with old friends, and join in the entertainment provided for young and old. Mad Science was in attendance once again, conducting a series of interactive demonstrations that not only entertained but educated those in attendance. Representatives from Balloons With a Twist kept children fascinated with their amazing abilities to create balloon animals, along with some very cool hats, that proved to be very popular! Children also proved to be very competitive while completing the new “Trivial Pursuit” form, which required them to visit different vendors. Best of all, everyone won a prize!

    In addition to these activities, there were over 40 vendors “on the grass”, offering a wide variety of foodstuffs, including ice cream, burritos, shaved ice, soft drinks, and of course, hot dogs! Numerous vendors also had lots of choices for those “gotta have” purchases, including shirts, collectibles, and garage art.Consistent with our founding principles of providing an innovative street rod event, participants were provided with an event T-shirt, dash plaque, drink koozie and a “goodie bag” that was rumored to weight at least 8 pounds! All those in attendance were afforded the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for an astounding array of items, including dinner and/or shows at some of the finest restaurants/hotel and gaming properties on the Strip, race team memorabilia, garage art, street rod components, car cleaning products, automobile/racing collectibles, and weekend getaways!
    Over 40 trophies were awarded this year, including a very special award presented by a Lili Claire Foundation family to a very humbled recipient. The ”Top Twenty trophies“ were once again provided by Highway 61 Collectibles. Every recipient of these trophies was stunned with the exceptional detail and quality of these amazing examples of collectable art. Similar to previous years, everyone stayed to participate in the awards ceremony, including cheering for their favorites.
    Since the expansion of our event to a two-day show, Gasoline Alley’s Birthday Bash has continued to grow, both in number of vehicles as well as members of the general public in attendance. Average vehicle count now exceeds 350, with approximately 5,000-6,000 people in attendance. The kick-off party held at the Cannery Hotel & Casino on the Saturday of Memorial Weekend always proves to be a big hit with dedicated parking, live bands, and a wide variety of select vendors.
    On the Sunday of Memorial Weekend, our event then moves to Eldoraro Park in North Las Vegas, where hundreds of street rods, hot rods, customs, muscle cars, imports, low riders, and customs are placed “On The Grass”. Throughout the day, participant and members of the general public are treated to a wide variety of activities and entertainment. Examples include gymnastic teams, Shriner Clowns, live performance by Forever Plaid, and race car/monster truck displays. Complimenting this carnival like atmosphere is a series of vendors/exhibitors (averaging 30-40) offering a vast array of food stuffs, memorabilia, apparel, and those all important “gotta have” purchases. Car show entrants also receive an event T-shirt, dash plaque, drink kozzie, and huge goodie bag containing decals, company catalogs, as well as a listing of event sponsors.
    While at the park, children are provided with a series of activities, including trivia pursuit (where everyone’s a winner!), crossword puzzles and special goodie bags. Event trophies are presented during our “Parade of Champions”, where vehicles are driven to the event stage by the lucky winners. Our event then concludes with a very unique “In The Air” celebration, where all attendees have the opportunity to catch a multitude of items thrown into the crowd, including ball caps, mardi gras beads, miniature foam foot balls, and numerous other items.

See ya’ “On The Grass”!