Hundreds will be dressed to the nines at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit for the annual North American International Show Charity Preview tonight. Since 1976 the event has raised more than 87 million dollars for local children’s charities.

Tickets for the black tie event are $300. The doors swing open at 6pm and the event promptly comes to an end at 9pm.

Tomorrow, the NAIAS begins for the rest of us. The public show will continue through Sunday, January 27th.

Daily hours are 9am-10pm although handicapped individuals can begin entering Cobo Center one hour earlier each day at 8am at the Oakland Hall entrance. The only day that is shortened just a bit is the final day of the show when it ends at 7pm on Sunday, the 27th.

Tickets this year are $12 for adults. Kids from 7-12 get in for $6. And kids under 7 are free with each paid adult attending the show.

There is absolute electricity in the air this year. For the first time in several years Detroit’s Big Three are doing well and the future looks bright for the auto industry. And don’t you know, just as the big show opens the deep freeze sets in. Meteorologist Chuck Gaidica says we’ll experience the coldest temperatures in two years during Auto Show week.

If you haven’t been, here’s a tip. While you may freeze your tukus off walking up to Cobo Center, once inside it can be like an oven. So keep that in mind as you plan your visit.