Louisville Street Rod Nationals Event Coverage 2021

August in Louisville means it’s time for the Kentucky State Fair to take over the grounds of the city’s Exposition Center. For the entire second half of the month, rides, funnel cakes, music and cows bring Kentuckians from all over the commonwealth to enjoy a few moments before summer ends.

However, the fair isn’t the only extravaganza at the expo center in August. On the first weekend of the month, thousands of street rods descend upon Louisville from all over the country (and, sometimes, the world) for the annual NSRA Street Rod Nationals, put on by the National Street Rod Association.

This year’s gathering, held Aug. 5-8, brought nearly 9,000 participants to the lots surrounding the expo hall, despite both the humidity and the lingering pandemic outside. Of course, escaping the late summer heat was as easy as heading inside the massive hall, where several machines from the Builders Showcase greeted one and all.

Past the showcase, vendors of all sorts brought their wares to the Nationals, ranging from clothing, meats and collectibles to parts and new products to keep your truck looking and running its best—not to mention all the wonderful food and beverages near the back and outside.

Speaking of trucks, though, plenty were hanging around outside the hall, mixed in with the usual street rods and muscle cars. As long as it was 30 years of age or older, it had a place among the colorful rides in attendance. Everywhere you looked, there was a truck or two rumbling through the lots, if not parked alongside rows of stunning machines.

If you missed this year’s Nationals, fear not: Next year’s happening is set for Aug. 4-7, 2022. The pre-Nationals parade is scheduled for the morning of Aug. 3, rolling out from the expo center to the Paristown Pointe neighborhood near Downtown Louisville. Follow them online at nsra-usa.com.

Past the showcase, vendors of all sorts brought their wares to the Nationals, ranging from clothing, meats and collectibles to parts and new products to keep your truck looking and running its best—not to mention all the wonderful food and beverages near the back and outside.