Art Car Parade Weekend

The Art Car Parade keeps on rollin'

Whether it's an impulse road trip to Austin, "Chinese" fire drills on Westheimer or the backseat after prom, Houstonians do it better in their cars. So naturally, folks from around the country flock to our Art Car Parade.

The annual weekend salute to man's best friend on wheels begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6, with the Art Car Ball, a party for artists and the public at Talento Bilingue de Houston (333 South Jensen) featuring live music, public performances, art cars, food and libations.

Friday kicks off with the Main Street Drag at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Children's Museum of Houston (1500 Binz), where a convoy of art cars visits schools and hospitals. Downtowners can check out the action in front of Treebeards on Market Square between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., or at the Main Squeeze (Main Street between Preston and Congress), a downtown art car party and scavenger hunt starting at 6 p.m., complete with outdoor films, street music and theater.

The official Everyones Art Car Parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 8, on Allen Parkway from Taft to downtown. You'll catch 265 art cars, the occasional Channel 2 personality jamming her microphone into a 12-foot fish on wheels and even our surprisingly hip mayor Bill White, who's riding in the parade.

Later that night, diehards can meet in front of the Art Car Museum (140 Heights) at 8:30 p.m. for a nighttime illuminated cruise. Follow the show to Jennie's Noodle House (2130 Jefferson) for beer and eats.

Feeling inspired? Check out details at www.orangeshow.org. Maybe you'll create a wacky car of your own, so you can finally get that key chain that says, "My other car is a toaster."