Today would be another day of Old Cars, friendship, and HAM Radio for us at Old Town. Linda, K4EIO and myself, K4SLB, headed out US 192, our caravan was not behind us today. It was a day that the Weatherman said that we might get some much needed rain. We arrived at our usual time, Lee greeted us at the gate with that welcoming smile of his. Bratt would be at her usual spot to register us, Kathy was their helping her out. As we made our turn by the Clock and headed towards Block 4 we noticed that "Big John" had the 1934 Ford Tudor, Hot Rod. In his favorite spot, Cris & Larry had their '70 Mustang next to him in the "Looney Bin". Roger & Sue had their Camaro just where they like it, Shane parked next to them in his '57 Chevy, sporting a big new radiator, "It runs cool now" Shane said. James '67 Firebird was nearby. Conrad & Daughter Samantha were out in his 1NFT57 and was already parked in Block 4 when we got there. We situated "Elvira" our '60 Ranchero in to our favorite spot behind "Black Market Minerals". Once we got set up Linda and I would make our first trip to the top of "Trophy Row".

John had his "Double Nickel Express" in his "Decade of Cruising" spot and most of the "Red Line Rodders" were in place. Bob & Marge were nearby in their '40 Buick,  Ben Karen and the Kids were behind the stairs. Darrell had his Galaxie just where he likes it, he will be headed North for about 9 weeks. See you when you get back. The usual cars were behind the "Tropical Breeze" including Bob's radical '70 Chevy pickup. Bob & Jerri's '63 Corvair Coupe was near the top of Block 1. Bill's "Showtime" pickup was against the fence, I guess the other Bill with his '54 Merc pickup and Leon in his '57 Chevy pickup lost the coin toss. Come on guys, Bill even admitted it was a double header. We headed back down to our car but not before I spotted Allan and Gary picking up and taking out the trash. The Trash man forgot to stop earlier this morning. Good Show guys. Once we were back down to block 4, Bob arrived in his '68 SS396 Chevelle, Nick in his '32 Deuce Coupe and Mark in his Ground Pounding Chevelle. Then Jeff in his "Signature Series Edsel" ask him why I call it that. He was followed in by Dave & Nancy in the '59 Edsel convertible that Dan Z was riding along in. Bill & Doris stopped by for a chat they walked up with T Rod, KT4ROD, Roberta the "Beer Lady" was doing a brisk business with the temperatures hovering around the 90 degree mark. The "J Body" firebirds were on display over in "Victory Lane".

Yes, we did make it to "Flippers" for dinner,  Larry, WA3PGL, and T Rod, KT4ROD would join us to dine alfresco. Tom & Bunny, who had their Chevelle near the Stage tonight were already ordering when we arrived. Jane did a good job taking care of us as usual. Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England, Allen, M3ELP and his son Mark, M3GZS from Runcorn, England along with Ian G4ZPZ from Manchester, England would check in over the 443.1 repeater via Echolink as would Tony, K4AVD from Wisconsin checking out just who was out tonight The 3 Amigos were down one tonight, Ken was over in Cocoa, Mike & Mark had the Corvettes parked at the bottom of Block 1. Dave had his "Mint Julep" '57 Chevy in his spot.  Bert & Ernie had their '66 Comet near the stage, I talked with  "Mustang Mike" & Emma as they came down the stairs from the "Blue Room". I went up to say hello to Mike Singer that was back with us tonight, he was sounding and looking good. We saw what was left of the 2 Birthday Cakes that Allan and the Cruise Staff surprised "Big John" with today. When we got back there were at least 3 Herbies down and across from us. Bob & "Bo" parked the '64 Corvair and the '36 Ford across from Nick and brought their chairs over and joined in with us. Mike & Linda lucked out and got a spot for their '71 Chevelle directly across from our car. Coy stopped by as did Charlie who had been in Texas for a while. Neil & Elaine were out in the '62 Rolls Royce, Ray & Bonnie were down near Conrad behind the General Store in their '56 Lincoln. Tony & Marianne along with Russ & Phyllis and John & Terri were across from the "Red Line Rodders" with the '71 Monte Carlo, Chevelle and Mustang. George & Mary also had the '72 Monte Carlo nearby and John B had his "Slick 51" on the North side of the stage next to "Cousin John's" Caddy.

It was a great day for all that made their way out. I figured our car count would be real low, Mike Kelley's Beach Blast 14 is tomorrow in Cocoa and many of the 200 preregistered cars make a long weekend out of it and weren't with us tonight. Ed, WB8BHL, and Fred, WD8KNI, both from Orlando, spotted the antenna on the Ranchero just before Cruise time and had a crash course on the Cruise and it's relationship to HAM Radio. Ed have a vintage Mustang that he is working on, he may be joining in with us on a Saturday real soon. Samantha sort of monopolized Linda with research for a School project even got Elaine involved a bit too. This Cruise can be a fantastic class room at times.
 

Sarah stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20, May 2008 "Cruiser of the Month" Bob & Kathy Miriello in the their '69 Nova SS were led by  Lee & Bratt followed by the rest of the cars from the top 3 Blocks to block 4 that becomes the "Staging Area" for Old Town's signature event. Mike Singer who had been at the controls of the "Blue Room",  playing a mix of nostalgic music and radio "Jingles", gave the safety announcements. Played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", for this the 934th running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee would lead  Bob & Kathy Miriello, our May "Cruiser of the Month" in their '69 Chevrolet Nova SS, up the even side of "Deac Hundley Avenue", Mike Singer announced the Flag Winners as the rest of the 196 cars in parade formation, made the turn by "Kids Town" on to the "Bricks", delighting an extremely large crowd of cheering 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. We had twice the waiving power from the back of "Elvira", this week, Red Racer, Ted, KE4TTE and T Rod, KT4ROD were cheering back to the crowd and taking some photos.

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", "Out of this World Embroidery",  Pepsi, Roberts Brothers, Race Depot & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to Allan, Joe, Nikki, Ron, Lee, Bratt, Gary, Dave, Shawn and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making this our 286th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.