What a beautiful day! The 35th Annual Turkey Run was taking place over in Daytona since Thursday and the 2009-Model Central Florida International Auto Show was taking place at the Orlando Convention Center since Wednesday. That still didn't stop record amounts of spectators and nearly 250 Cruisers from gracing "Trophy Row" tonight.

We would meet up with Steve Mc, K4SKM, at the "Top of the Hill", he was in his '64 Corvair we were in our  '67 Dodge Dart, Steve's Model A was on display at the International Car show since it opened. Gary was at the gate it was a little hard to make the turn at Old Town Clock, the streets of Old Town were already filling up with spectators, Dave was by the Cruise office to register all as they arrived. Steve dropped the gate and Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England came in over the radio as we crossed Florida Plaza.  Emil, KJ4GNH, was already in a spot next to ours in his '48 Ford. There weren't many cars on "Trophy Row" yet, some of the regulars were still over in Daytona but there were cars that would be making it to a Saturday night that came over after a few days at the Turkey Run, it wasn't long and we spotted another new car. Larry & Cris had his latest Falcon out today. WA2GNT, Manuel stopped by for a visit. This is one of the few days that John Cain and the 3 Amigos miss a Saturday night, it is always good to see if they picked up any "new" cars in the weeks to come.

Linda & I would take our first stroll to the top of "Trophy Row", Butch would have his '64 Comet in the "Looney Bin". Larry would be in his '47 Chevy,  James had his  "Firebird" parked in block 2. Many of the "Redline Rodders" were in their usual spots. Don & Jackie had their Mustang convertible, Karen and the Kids would be behind the stairs. Tony & Marianne were in front of them, their SS454 Monte Carlo was across from them by Russ' Chevelle. Darrell has his LTD North of the stage.  All of the regulars would be next to the bleachers, Bob & Jerri would have their Corvair in Block 1, Morris would be just North of them in "My 2nd 50". Duffy would have the upper most spot with his T-Bucket. We would run into Bill & Doris on the way back to the car, they would be under the stairs by now with Pablo & Nilda who were in their VW. Ray would be out by now in his '32 Ford. John would be nearby with his '57 Chevy 210, Bob was in Block 4 with his '68 SS396 Chevelle when we got back to the car.

It wasn't long before Charlie arrived to join in with us. Block 4 was bustling with activity, Roberta the "Beer Lady"  would set up her beer tent. It was 4:00 and time to head to dinner, Emil, James and Charlie would join us on the walk to "Flippers". By now Dave had arrived in his "Mint Julep" '57 Chevy. Bert & Ernie would be out in their Comet Wagon and Lynn would be out in her '49 Ford Pickup by now. Bob & Marge had their '65 Rambler Ambassador in his spot. "Flippers" was very busy it was hard to find a table even on the patio, it was such a beautiful day.  Jane would take care of us in her usual fashion, Edith in Oldham England would convey a message via Graham over the radio to her about the wonderful job she did when they were with us a few weeks ago. Most of the "Regulars" that come to this restaurant each week filed by us and lots of new friends we were about to make. On our way back to Block 4 Linda would stop and collaborate with Mike Singer, KJ4GNI in the "Blue Room" on a story for this edition. By now "Trophy Row" was filling up. the spectator crowd was enormous Nick & Fran would come out after spending a few days in Daytona in their '32 Ford, Tom & Chris along with Tom & Lori as well as Doug and Trish would make their way out tonight, there were also lots of cars that came over from Daytona and more Snowbird Cruisers were spotted. Doc, Suzanne and Cara were out in the Mach1 parked in our line up. Mark arrived and his  "Blown to Be Wild" '63 Falcon was still in the trailer after the trip back from the East Coast, he would later park it nearby in a vacated spot. T Rod, KT4ROD would join in with us tonight and take a few photos. Rodger arrived in his Austin Healey but he was wearing his Citroën hat. That's the problem when you have so many cars. Again the rest of the night was a blur, I know most would think it could only be beer or other spirits could cause this but it is just the intoxication of the night that does it. The thousands of people in the streets and the hundreds of cars can make it happen as well.

Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20, Juan Morales, our November 2008 "Cruiser of the Month" in his '55 Chevrolet 3100 pickup was led by Dave & Lee for the last time during his reign,  followed by 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 963rd 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 an extremely 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 Allan, Joe, Ron, Gary,  Lee, Dave, Esther, Miguel, Mesha, Chrisanne and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our 314th 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.