The "Wide Track Warriors" and the Nostalgic Novas already had Old Town bursting at the seams when we arrived at 1:05. Our "Decades" spot was open so we were allowed to make our way to Block 4 at the Top of the Nostalgic Nova show. The early arrivals parked on the Eat side of the bricks until 2:15. While we situated our 67 Dart, Graham, G4HFG, would come in over the repeater from Oldham, England. Linda and I would make our way up to the "Super Shot" where Dave was registering the new arrivals. Making our way up the bricks we would spot most of the "Redline Rodders" cars. the head "Loon's" '72 GMC pickup. Bill in his "Showtime" Pickup. Ted & Bev in their '69 AMX, Emil, KJ4GNH in his “High School Flame” and all of the familiar cars seen on "Trophy Row". Way at the top awaiting the move was Nick in his '32 Ford Coupe and Bob arrived in his '68  SS396 Chevelle. We would make our way back to Block 4 after getting our registration and check out the "Awards" that were being presented and all of the Pontiac's on the way.

Once back in Block 4 Bill & Doris would stop by, Larry, WA3PGL would stop out as would T Rod, KT4ROD and Charlie. Ian, G4ZPZ from Manchester, England would join in our repeater to hear what was going on at the Cruise. Ed, WB8BHL called to say he would join us in person after dinner. It doesn't happen very often, 2 rather large shows on the same Saturday were in "Town". The turn outs of these events had been much smaller so "Trophy Row" wouldn't have been packed with participants of the earlier shows. Today was a different case, the Wide Track Warriors had 4 times as many cars as they have had in the past. The "Nostalgic Nova's" numbers were greater than usual as well. This presented Allan and the Cruise Staff with a challenge but come 2:00 when the shows ended the exodus began. The "Regulars" that had been staged on the bricks of Deac Hundley Avenue were ready, at the instructions of the staff, to make their way to "Trophy Row", the Pontiac show had culminated and the participants of that show who wanted to stay for the Saturday Nite Cruise, were directed to re enter Old Town and register. This allowed the Cruisers on the Bricks and into the parking spots. The Nova show was concluding shortly afterwards and joined in on the egress. Linda manned the gate atop Block 4 so that the Cruise Staff could concentrate on the Pontiac show's departure. Before 2:30 the returning flow had concluded, very well done and without incident. All most all of the early regulars ended up by not being displaced. A job well done in traffic control by our Cruise Staff.

At 3:40 our group started to make our way to "Flippers" for dinner, "Trophy Row" had been transformed to a regular Saturday night. On the way we had to stop and admire the '20 Milburn Electric then chatted with Joe & Kay that brought out "Razz" their '70 Corvette. Dave & Newt had the "Mint Julep" '57 Chevy and the '66 T-Bird. under and next to the Car Port, Rich was in the News shack. The "Looney Bin" was now occupied. Bob would have his '65 Ambassador in his "Decade" spot as would the others in Block 2. Karen & the Kids were behind the stairs and the gathering in the front would be as big as usual. Bert & Ernie brought their '66 Comet wagon, Lynn would have her '49 Ford Pickup out and even Mike and Emma would have the Greenbrier next to the stage. Charlene was with the 3 Amigos, her '69 Camaro was swarmed by the crowd, Bob & Jerri were out in their '63 Corvair and Duffy was at the top with his T-Bucket.

We had to go inside Flippers, the patio was crowded but before we were served we migrated to the patio as it cleared. Yes, we told Gina that we were going so she didn't think we left. Curt from New York, visiting neighbors of Charlie would stop out and spend the evening, as he does when ever visiting Florida. While dinning, the cars just kept coming, it was going to be a big car count tonight. On our way back to the cars "Red Racer" Ted, KE4TTE, had arrived with camera in hand, he was already shooting the place up. Laura, NO4OO was on the radio making her way to Old Town from Lakeland and Ed, WB8BHL had arrived. The "Town" was cheek to cheek and the cars were winding around "Kid's Town".

Linda and I would take a walk to see who was around the corner, Steve & Donna had their '68 GTX out tonight. Neil & Elaine brought out the '62 TR4 and the '62 Healey Mark III. Steve & Carol had their '67 Camaro backed up to Holiday Trail. Bill, Leonard and Leon were behind the roller coaster near Doc & Suzanne in their "Tater Truck". Jeff, KC2BIZ and Heather would bring her Uncle Mark, Cindy and Jamie from Madison, Wisconsin. They came down to help them move, leaving on Tuesday. Jeff & Heather will stay in touch via the Ham radio. It was good meeting them and Mark is a major Gear Head and really enjoyed Old Town, I'm sure they will be back again. The shops and restaurants were very busy and the streets were full of the fans of our cars. "The Dukes" were on their corner singing to a very large audience. Cars were still coming in right up to the closing of the gate.

"Red Racer", Ted and I were recruited for the staging of the Cruise, to help merge the "Nostalgic Nova's" behind the Cruiser of the months entourage.

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, they were led by a multi person bicycle, that had been on display with many other "contraptions" in Block 3 and Dave & Lee  followed by the "Nostalgic Novas that had been in Block 4 the last few days, 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 976th 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 375 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 327th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Once again, Kudos to the Cruise Staff for making the chaos flow smoothly!

(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”)

We also have to Thank the management of Old Town and of course the Cruise Staff for the spur of the moment traffic re routing and audience control that takes place during the most hectic of times, just before or during the Cruise. With as many people that come to Old Town on a Saturday there are bound to be possible health issues, trips and falls, on the streets or in the stores,  along with anything else that could possibly happen amongst this temporary population. They need the ability to bring Emergency responders across or to the cruise route itself.  This is why it is very important to follow the directions given by the Staff or announcements over Old Town Radio. Tonight this happened twice, just before and near the middle of the Cruise. It was taken care of with great co operation of both the audience and participants. The Management and Cruise Staff are great first responders, they assess the situation get the help needed. Most of the time we, the cruisers and audience do not even know there is an incident. I do not usually like to include any of this in my columns, I just feel it is important to follow directions and the "Rules" that have been implemented by Old Town so that any of these incidents are nearly invisible to the event as they were tonight.

Get well soon, Joe Rodhouse we all miss you.

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See you all "Out There"