What can I say, the day starts off with over 200 Corvettes then on to a Special Commemorative Stamp dedication, then Dwight and 247 cars! This is going to be a tough one to write about, there was just so much going on today. I will say right away that the 4 big events were orchestrated by our "Cruise Staff" without a hitch. Great job!

When we arrived at the gate, after the trek down US192 with Mike, N4HHA and Kristen, KJ4BST in their '63 Corvair Spyder.  Joe was at the point. Seems like there were already over 300 Corvettes in place on "Victory Lane" for Old Town's own 'Vette Fest III". Jeri was working today as well, lots of different registrations taking place. Tracy, wearing a poodle skirt, was by the haunted house to register the SNC Cruisers. All arrivals were handed an Old Town Envelope with one of the new "Fins & Chrome" stamps on it. Jeri was further down registering the participants of the "Vette Fest". As we made our turn at Old Town Clock Bill Mabry, our October 2008 "Cruiser of the Month" would be parked in his place of honor. Emil, KJ4GNH, would join him later in his  "High School Flame". The "Looney Bin" was near capacity, Bob would have his GMC pickup, Cris & Larry's Mustang, Butch had the '64 Mercury convertible next in line, then Larry's  '47 Chevy.  Gary & Kathy's Fairlane was near the Florida Plaza gate. James opened the gate so that we could enter Block 4, his "Firebird" and Mark's "Blown to Be Wild" Falcon, were already in place by the Beer Tent. We backed our '61 Corvair into our spot. Bratt who was in the parking lot stopped by to say so long and wanted us to pass it along to all, she will not be part of the staff for a while, she is taking a sabbatical to spend time with her brother that is moving to Florida. Bill stopped by to say that the "Postal Event" was about to take place at the "Saturday Nite Cruise Station" of the Kissimmee Post Office next to the stage and that Dwight Icenhower was in town singing for the event. Even Uncle Sam would be there. Linda covers all of this activities in her column in issue #210 and I will include it at the end of this story. I did find  Bill & Doris and Wolfman and Sue along with several hundred others awaiting the ceremony and performances. I would head up and visit with Mike Singer, KJ4GNI, in the "Blue Room" to get his take on the busy day, he was holding up well and enjoying the activities. Now this all took place before 3:00. The "Vette Fest" would have the stage for a while to present awards and ready themselves for the special Cruise out of town at 4:00. We would head to "Flippers" a little early so that we would be across Dec Hundley Ave, before the Cruise started but not before Conrad would take his favorite spot with his 1NFT57 Pickup. Jane who was back from a mini vacation in the Keys, took care of us. The 'Vettes cruised out, then more of the regulars Cruised in. It was going to be a big event today. Jennifer, of WJBJ along with Pep & Nancy and Jim Kurzon would arrive to eat about the time we left.

5:00 the dedication of the Commemorative stamps took place, cake for all and lots and lots of people! Richard had his El Camino out today. Many of the "Redline Rodders" were in place, Bob & Marge would back their '65 Rambler Ambassador convertible into his spot. Karen and the Kids would be behind the stairs, Pablo & Nilda would be under them. The 3 amigos were in their spots, Charlie was now in town visiting with Emil and Bill. Steve & Carol in their '67 Camaro would join us in Block 4. Roberta the "Beer Lady" was doing a fine business.  Jeff would be by his '59 Edsel. Dan Z & Liz were nearby in the '41 Willys. Doc & Suzanne in the "Tater Truck" would be across from us. Bob & Marge would have their '68 SS396 Chevelle just down from us. Bob in his '36 Ford, "Bo" in his Corvair and John in his Mustang would be out after 6:00. Bert & Ernie would be out in their Comet Wagon along with many more. "Red Racer" Ted, KE4TTE, would stop out and take pictures, almost 500 of them, T Rod, KT4ROD would do the same but not as many photos, they are all posted on today's story on line.

Allan Butler and his family from England, stopped by to see if I was any relation to them, who knows? Anyway he took photos and I spotted them later in the crowd during the parade up the bricks. As usual the rest of the night flew by, we did hear from Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England several times through out the day but he came back in on the radio just before Cruise time to get a final count. "The Dukes" were on their corner drawing a crowd as well tonight.

Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20, Bill Mabry, our October 2008 "Cruiser of the Month" in his '53 Ford pickup "Showtime" was led by Dave, Lee & Gary for his first time as leader of the pack, followed by Emil in his "High School Flame" then Dave in his '66 T-Bird convertible with the staff of the Kissimmee Post office. Ron Branch, Post Master of Kissimmee and Tabrina Retail Manager followed in the back of a Pink '57 Caddy. The Mail Delivery Truck was next 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, KJ4GNI, 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 954th running of this tradition. The Cruisers made the turn at "Kids Town" on to the "Bricks" of "Deac Hundley Avenue", Mike Singer announced the Flag Winners as the rest of the 247 cars in parade formation cruised past,  delighting a very large crowd of cheering spectators along 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", "Out of this World Embroidery",  "Wound 'N Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers, the "Tropical Breeze" & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to Joe, Ron, Gary,  Kathy, Bratt, Lee, Dave, Esther, Miguel, Mesha and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our 306th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

On to the "Flag Winners".

Tonight's random drawing winners received the coveted "Old Town Checkered Flag" and the new "Clock Pin", along with $25 cash, A Case of Oil from Valvoline and a drink from the Tropical Breeze.