March 15th, 2008
Linda, K4EIO & I, K4SLB in our
'60 Ranchero, met Steve K4SKM and Richard, who was riding along for the day,
in the
'29 Model A Sport Coupe
at the "Top of the Hill" at 1:15 for the ride down the "Parkway" to the
best "Free Show" in town. Gary & Kathy C were at the gate and
greeted us with a smiles. Nikki was wrangling Studebakers as we made our
way to the registration point that was staffed by Bratt as usual. Old
Town was already very busy with spectators and the Studebakers on
display. "Big John" had his '56 Buick on the corner, Bob had his GMC
in the "Looney Bin". Cris & Larry had the '69 Mustang there as well.
Roger & Company were in their favorite spot at the bottom of Block 3. Mike N4HHA and Kristen,
KJ4BST in the red
'63 Corvair Spyder convertible were already on Block
4. Kristen was the "Gatekeeper" for us today, Thank You. Joe was already
down there in his golf kart making sure all was ready. Shortly after we
were all set up, Linda & Kristen went off shopping.
Bill & Doris stopped
by for a chat. We were joined by Paul & Pat in the '58 DeSoto and Jean
in her '36 Ford.
Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England checked in quite early and stayed
with us most of the evening over the 443.100 repeater. I then wandered to the top 3 Blocks. Most of the
regulars were in place on this Summer like day. Bob & Marge were out in
their favorite '40 Buick parked near the stage, Darrell was just up from
it where he likes it.
Emil had his '48
Ford behind the English store. Gary & Helene had their
'66 Ford Galaxie 500 XL, just where they like it. Bill, Bill and Don were at the top of Block
1, Lyle couldn't come out to play today. Linda caught up to me and we
made our way back down to our car. Jeff arrived in his '59 Edsel and
parked just where he likes it. Then Dan Z and Liz arrived in the
'33 Ford Speedstar and parked next to him. Ron & Rose brought out their '37
Ford Coupe and the '37 Ford convertible. Ron and Renee parked nearby in
their '61 Caddy. Anyway, I have lost track of the order on how the
others in Block 4 arrived. Conrad would park his '57 Chevy pickup just
where he likes it. Ray & Carm would be out in their Deuce Coupe. Dave &
Nancy would be out in the '30 American Austin.
T Rod, KT4ROD would join
us as well in block 4, he came out to take some photos and visit with
our bunch as well as the rest of the Cruisers. 3:40, It was time to head
out to "Flippers"
for our dinner.
Of course the trip up was a little longer than usual,
visiting with all the were out. John and the Red Line Rodders were all
in place by now. Ralph & Shirley, Ralph & Ulla,
Bill & Doris along with
Lynn were under the Stairs across from the Stage, Lynn's '48 Pickup was
across from them. Karen & the kids were in their favorite spot. Ken was
the only one of his group on the East side of Block 1, Mark, who just
took delivery of a Mustang, broke down on the way. Mike was following,
they hoped to make it out later. We spotted Dave in the black Mustang
convertible heading in as we crossed the "Bricks". Mike & Kristen beat
us to the table. T Rod was still shooting the Studebakers. He then
joined us,
Jane took great care of us as usual,
Graham even managed to say hello to her over the radio. While we
were dinning alfresco we spotted Butch & Jennifer in their
1964 Oldsmobile F-85,
it must have been a night off from the duties of
WJBJ Cruising with the Classic's. It is always good to see them out
at Old Town. Ed & Evelyn with Bob from PA arrived in the '64 Corvair
Coupe. The cars kept rolling in.
Nick & Fran along with Mark headed over
to "Kool Kats" for a bite to eat. Ron & Renee would join us on the
patio. The DJ at "Jam Rock" was just a little obnoxious but it is sort
of close quarters there. It was just after 5:00 and we headed down to
Block 4.
All of the spots in the top 3 Blocks were now filled,
Linda stopped up to see Lee for a minute, we ran into Ron down by the
stage as "Still Kickin'" was setting up. Richard was in the "Mike
Kelly's" building, Newt along with Ken were out in the Ford Unibody
pickup. John B had his 'Vette in front of the Little Darling. Vic was
very visible tonight, I guess it was just too nice to be inside doing
his other chores. Brian, Lisa and Quintino stopped by for a visit, they
had been out shopping and the Chevelle was at home. Annette came out to
join Mike & Kristen. Jo Ellen and Morgan were out with Dave who had his
'63 Avanti on the "Bricks". Paul, Pat and Jean left a little early, Hope
you fell better Pat. Stan "The Pacerman" was out and about. Ted, KE4TTE
joined us and took Mike up on his offer of the famous "Meat on a Stick".
Roberta "The Beer lady" was doing a fine business down at the "Beer Tent". We took many
walks up and down "Trophy Row". It was a great night and almost everyone
that we are used to seeing were in "Town" tonight. John & Angel should
be joining in as Cruisers once again, they bought a '67 VW Fastback
tonight. Suzanne & Cara had a cake in honor of Doc's Birthday, the '72
Mustang Mach 1 was used as the serving table and it was a very popular
place just before Cruise time. It seemed like it got late real quick
tonight, that extra hour of daylight and all.
Sarah stopped by
with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20,
Jim & Charlene Goldade, our March "Cruiser of the Month"
in their '65 Mustang 2+2, were led to block 4 that becomes the staging
area at this time by Lee. Then the Studebakers that had been on
display all day on the "Bricks" followed by the rest of the cars
from the top 3 Blocks to the "Staging Area" for Old
Town's signature event.
"Mustang Mike" who was at the controls of the
"Blue Room", playing a mix of
nostalgic music and radio "Jingles", got word that we were ready to Cruise,
he
gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, right on
time, for this the
925th running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee would
lead
Jim & Charlene Goldade, our March
"Cruiser of the Month" in their '65 Mustang 2+2, up the even side of
"Deac Hundley Avenue", Mustang Mike announced the Flag Winners then "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the
Saturday Nite Cruise", the rest of the 270 cars in
parade formation,
made the turn by "Kids Town" on to "Bricks", delighting a very large crowd of
spectators, many rows deep on both sides of the Avenue. "Rain or
Shine" every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it
for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from
the sidewalks and boulevards.
Thank you Old Town for letting us, the
curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that
are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old
Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, "Valvoline",
the "General Store", the "A&W", "Tags With Class", "Wound and Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers,
Race Depot & "Flippers" just to
name a few. Thank you to Allan, Joe, Ron, Lee, Bratt, Gary, Dave, Nikki and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for
making this our 277th consecutive Saturday a fun and
safe one. Get Well, Mike Singer, we all miss you!
On to the Flag Winners
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