Nancy Sinatra to Lead Record-Setting Palm Springs Classic Car Parade

Singer Nancy Sinatra will lead a parade of 85 classic cars in the Palm Springs 85th Anniversary Classic Car Parade this weekend. Riding under this year’s theme “Cruising Through the Years,” Sinatra, out tennis legend Rosie Casals, and other celebrities will ride in cars from the 85 years since the city of Palm Springs was incorporated on April 20, 1938. The parade, which is free to the public, takes place this Saturday, April 8, and kicks off a full day of events planned in celebration of the city’s birthday.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have the fabulous Nancy Sinatra and so many other local celebrities, community leaders, and pioneers join us for what is sure to be an epic parade and incredible day celebrating 85 years of the magic that makes Palm Springs like no place else,” Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner said in a statement.

The Classic Car Parade starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center and runs along Amado Road before ending at the Downtown Park. Sinatra is the daughter of the famed Frank Sinatra, who helped establish Palm Springs as a hip travel destination. Casels, who was considered a rebel on the court for her aggressive style of play and was portrayed in the 2017 film The Battle of the Sexes, dominated women's tennis with doubles partner Billie Jean King during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Sinatra and Casels will be joined in the parade by film icon, former NFL player, and current Palm Springs resident Fred “The Hammer” Williamson, supermodel Beverly Johnson, and other select celebrities and city pioneers.

Immediately following the parade at 12:30 p.m., a short opening ceremony will take place at the Downtown Park with Mayor Garner and emceed by Turner Classic Movies host Dave Kroger. The cars will then go on display in a special car show in front of the Marilyn Monroe statue with a DJ set provided by Joe Kay, the founder of Soulection.

The parade’s organizer, long-time resident Keith McCormick, said the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand for what he believes could be a record-setting event.

“Our 85th Anniversary Classic Car Parade and Show is sure to go down in the history books!” McCormick, the founder of PalmSprings Exotic Car Auctions, said in a statement. “No other City that I know of has ever had 85 cars representing 85 years all in one place.”

Later that evening in the Downtown Park, a Canine Costume Contest will take place at 6 p.m. followed by an Elton John Tribute Concert at 7 p.m.

You can learn more about the Palm Springs Classic Car Parade and the other activities taking place at the Downtown Park and elsewhere in the city in celebration of the city's 85th birthday at www.palmsprings85.com.