Kool Deadwood Nites, the region’s largest gathering of classic cars, free music and nostalgic fun, takes place in Historic Deadwood this weekend. This year Kool Deadwood Nites will feature free Main Street concerts by The Platters and Sha Na Na, two of the biggest musical acts of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Kool Deadwood Nites starts Thursday, Aug. 26, with classic car registration from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Deadwood Gulch Convention Center. People’s Choice voting for early car registrants will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Deadwood’s History and Information Center Parking Lot, with results of the voting at 9 p.m. The 2nd annual Sock Hop will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., also in the History and Information Center Parking Lot.

The Deadwood Rod Run, an escorted tour of Spearfish Canyon, kicks off the Friday, Aug. 27 activities. It runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meanwhile, car registration for Kool Deadwood Nites continues from noon to 7 p.m. An owners-only barbecue will be held in conjunction with the registration, at the Deadwood Gulch Convention Center.

Friday’s free concerts on Main Street begin at 5 p.m. featuring the Kid & Nic Show and DD & The Fayrohs, followed by Friday’s headliner Sha Na Na. The highly popular ’60s rock ‘n’ roll band released more than 40 albums, including the 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition in 2009. Their songs were featured in “Grease,” and they starred in it. They played at Woodstock and had a hit television show for four years.

On Saturday, Aug. 28, registration continues from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A classic car competition will take place, with judging from 8 a.m. to noon at the Days of 76 Rodeo Grounds, across from the First Gold Hotel. Poker runs begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. throughout Deadwood and the Black Hills.

Concerts kick off again at 5 p.m. on Saturday when the Kid & Nic Show and DD & The Fayroh’s perform again. Also on Saturday, The Rat Pack Show will take the stage, followed by The Platters. The Platters had a number of Top 10 hits, including “Only You,” “The Great Pretender,” “Twilight Time,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” and many more.

On Sunday, Aug. 29, the classic car parade, a crowd favorite, will be held. Cars begin lining up at 7 a.m. at the Days of 76 Rodeo Grounds. The parade starts when all cars are lined up. After the parade, all cars will be on display on Main Street for a show-and-shine. The weekend’s award ceremony will be held at the History and Information Center Parking lot beginning at 11 a.m.

Beginning at noon Friday and running throughout the weekend, a Classic Car Corral will be held at Ferguson Field with many classic cars for sale. The cost is $10 and all vehicles must be 1973 or younger.