It was a cold morning but the day started to warm up nicely. We made the usual arrangements to meet at the “Top of the Hill” but today it would be with Mike, N4HHA in his ‘63 Corvair Spyder and Annette, N4HHI in her Mini Cooper. Just after we stopped Bob, in his ‘68 SS396 Chevelle and Nick in his '32 Ford Coupe would stop to see if we had broken down. Bob said it was a good place to break down, a while back the clutch arm failed on him at the same place. Once I told him that we were OK and waiting for others they headed out to Old Town. It wasn’t very long and I spotted Mike and Annette so I pulled out in front of them and our little caravan headed out as well.

Gary was at the Gate with his usual welcoming smile, Linda got in the Mini with Annette so she could help her find the special parking for the “British Invasion”. Mike would follow me down the bricks to registration. Dave was by the Cruise Office greeting all that arrived, I could see that Bob had his GMC in the “Looney Bin” and “Ranger Roger” wasn't far away in his ‘59 Edsel. Mark with his "Beast", Nick in the ‘32 Ford and Bob in his Chevelle were already parked across from them. As we made our turn towards Block 4, I spotted Emil, KJ4GNH, with his “High School Flame” already parked in the spot he likes to call his own. It was a bit chilly even yet but the Sun was shinning brightly and the day was set. Graham, G4HFG, from Oldham, England came in over the 443.1 repeater just as I was backing our 67 Dart  into our “Decades” spot. He would spend the rest of the day with us from 4200 miles away. Charlie  would join us about 2:30, Annette would be by her Mini on the “Bricks” after all she was the first one to arrive. T Rod, KT4ROD and Larry, WA3PGL would join us just a little after that. Jeff would arrive in his ’59 Edsel as would Dave in his '55 T Bird, they would park by Roberta the "Beer Lady". Ron & Rene would join them in his ‘61 Caddy. Tom & Bunny’s  Malibu would be the next one in line.

It wouldn’t be until our walk to dinner before we would see who was out today. Dave & Newt would be out in the “Mint Julep”. Doug & Trish in their ’68 Bronco had joined Tom in “Winners Court”. Bob, the “Parrot Head” with his ‘57 T-Bird and a pair of Jacks with a Chevelle and a ’57 Chevy from the Indian River, "Drop your Top" gang were in town. Bert & “Ernie” would be out in their '66 Comet Wagon. Bob would have his ‘65 Ambassador next to the "Redline Rodders", Pablo & Nilda would have their ’68 Nova on the other side. Karen and the Kids were behind the stairs. Morris had his ‘50 Ford near the top of Block 1. “Trophy Row” was filling up nicely.

Trish would have a table of 12 of us, Fred from Michigan in his ‘61 Corvair, would arrive  as we sat down, then he joined our group. Just as we ordered Ed, WB8BHL, would arrive. By now the “Minis” would start to fill the East Side of Deac Hundley Avenue. All models and colors even a few Mokes and a Royal Mail truck. The flow of regulars was constant as well. The weather was a typical Florida winter day, just over 70 degrees. Marion, W4PRO and his wife Linda, W7PRO from Virginia, wintering in Florida overheard our OTARC meting and introduced themselves. More Hams that had heard about the Cruise and came to Old Town. It was nice to have them out with us tonight. Ray, John P and Rich were also dinning alfresco, the '57 Chevy and the Deuce Coupe were in place on “Trophy Row”.

We would visit with the latest arrivals on our way back to the car, “Red Racer” Ted, KE4TTE was in town by now armed with his trusty camera, shooting the place up. Roger would be near the bottom of Block 3, across from Bill in his ‘55 Chevy, Shane would be next to him in his ‘57 Chevy. Sammie would have his ‘68 Eldorado next to him. Across from them was a ‘67 Nissan Patrol, a very rare FWD that has been manufactured in Japan since 1951. This is one of only a few hundred that ever made it to our shores and it has been owned since it was just 2 years old by Bill & Lowene from Tampa, he just finished the restore on it a while back.

Back in Block 4 we would visit with “Big Mike” that brought out his ‘72 SS454 Malibu. Linda, K4EIO, would take Fred on a tour of the “Minis” that were on display. Doc and Cara would have the “Tater Truck” just down from us, Suzanne would join them as well. “The Dukes” would set up on their corner and draw a large crowd of fans. Neil & Elaine would have their ‘62 Rolls Royce between Steve’s '68 GTX and Fred’s Corvair, what a diversification of cars out tonight! The spectator crowd was very large and inquisitive tonight and like all Saturday nights, the rest of the night flew by.

Esther would stop by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20. The Cruise Staff would start to direct the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up starting with The February 2009 "Cruiser of the Month" Tom Balmer & Chris would pull his '72 Vette from it's place of honor, (Remember Cruisers, stay in your parking spot until you are directed out by a Cruise Staff member, you know the ones with the flashlights and the blinking vests. This practice has been brought back to all Blocks of “Trophy Row” it is no longer a “Free For All”), they were led by Dave & Lee  followed by the "Mini's" that had been on Deac Hundley Ave. all day, then 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 975th running of this tradition. The Cruisers made their way to the "Bricks" of "Deac Hundley Avenue". Mike announced the Flag Winners as the rest of the 224 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 Pearl Factory, the Gold Hut, the "Tropical Breeze" & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to Allan, Ron, Gary,  Lee, Dave, Esther, Miguel, CJ, Mesha, Chrisanne and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our 326th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Get well soon, Joe Rodhouse we all miss you.

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See you all "Out There"