A Summer day, is what it seemed like. 2 weekends in a row the weather couldn't have been more perfect for a day in our "Home Town". Steve Mc, K4SKM called on the 210 repeater and the plan was made to meet up on the "Parkway", we had to stop for some fuel as we were heading out. After we paid the toll we spotted him on the bridge in his '64 Corvair convertible. He would pull out into the traffic and we would follow him for a while. As we moved to the left lane to set up for the turn on to Seralago, he would fall in behind our 67 Dart.

Lee was at the gate when we arrived. The East side of Deac Hundley Avenue would be lined up with Edsels,  '58, '59 and a few rare '60's. The sidewalks and streets were full of spectators. Dave was at the Cruise Office registering all that arrived. Larry had his '65 Falcon on the corner, The "Looney Bin" had Bob the head Loon and his '72 GMC pickup, later Butch & Steph would be out in their '64 Comet Convertible. Many of the regulars were in place in Block 3 and the East side of Block 4 was loaded with Studebakers and Florida Plaza and the rest of the place was being taken care of by Gary zipping around on the kart.  Soon after we backed into our "Decades" spot Graham, from Oldham England checked in over the 3.1 repeater. Emil. KJ4GNH would arrive in his “High School Flame” just before Linda and I would make our first tip to the top of "Trophy Row".

Dave had his '39 Ford in it's place of honor, Bob would have his  '68  SS396 Chevelle next to Nick & Fran's '32 Ford Coupe, Mark would join them a little later in the "Beast". Most of the "Redline Rodders" were in their favorite places, Mike and Carol would have their '74 Dart 360 just down from them, John's '57 Chevy was nearby. Don & Jackie had the Model A next to the stairs, Lynn would have her '49 Ford Pickup next to them and Pablo & Nilda would have the '72 VW across from them. Jim & Joyce would have their Cougar in Block 1 near Bob & Jerri's '63 Corvair. Duffy had his T-Bucket in the first spot and Bill was against the fence with his "Showtime" pickup. We would head back for Block 4, once we were there, Ray & Juanita would join our line up with a '58 Chevy Delray Sedan Delivery, Tom & Bunny would take a spot just down from us for their  '66 Malibu. Dan Z would be out in his '62 Chevy 409 car. Ron S would be in one of his great Fords. I saw Jeff and Dave looking at the Studebakers, the '59 Edsel  and the '59 Corsair they brought out were on the bricks. Roberta the "Beer Lady" was set up and ready. Jane would stop by for a visit and Charlie would join us just before heading to Flippers for dinner.

On the walk up we would visit  with the latest arrivals, Dave D had his '56 Mercedes under the carport, most of the once vacant parking spots now had cars in them, Larry & Karen would be out in "ITZA40". The 3 Amigos would be in place, Steve & Carolyn had the '71 Barracuda behind the "Chippy Shop", John & Sandy next to them in the '53 Merc.  We would dine alfresco again, Trish would take good care of us, it was very busy inside and out. While dinning John & Rich would also take a table on the patio. A steady stream of cars continued rolling in. I spotted Doc in the "Tater Truck". Don M in his Camaro and Tara in her 'Cuda. Roger F would bring out his latest, the '62 Chevy II convertible. John & Janice would arrive in the '48 Chevy pickup and Gene in his '28 Studebaker. Steve & Donna would also bring the '68 GTX as would Neil & Elaine bring the "Roller". Chris, KE4DUJ, Michelle, KE4DQH, Joe, WB2ROL and Ardyce, KC2NOU were out and about at Old Town tonight. Nick KF6NFT made it safely home to Sacramento, California and later Ed WB8BHL would check in as we made our way off the bricks after the Cruise. NAPA Bob, N4RDS and family were spotted looking at the cars. We would head back for the rest of the nights fun. "Red Racer" Ted, KE4TTE was in town with his camera in hand.

We would stop by to see Richard at the Kelly's shack, Dave was doing his balloon tying for the kids. The streets were packed with Spectators and Cruisers alike. Linda and I would go for a Walk About to "Kid's Town". I spotted "Big" Mike and Linda's '71 454 Malibu in the crowd of cars that was filling all available spots by now. Joe was over visiting with Doug, Trish, Tony, Donna, Tom & Lori. It seemed like just about everyone was in "Town" tonight. Don & Tara would be the last to Cruise, their Mopar and Bow Tie was against the fence. We made our way back towards "Trophy Row" via the General Store, had to have that chocolate fix, to see "Doc" by the "Tater Truck" and have a piece of the cake that Suzanne brought out for his birthday. Again the rest of the night flew by and...

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 March 2009 "Cruiser of the Month" James and Jane Graveline with his '39 Ford Coupe from it's place of honor was led by Dave & Lee  followed by the "Red Hat" Lady's, the Edsels that had been on the Bricks of Deac Hundley Avenue since 7:00 this morning, the Studebakers that had occupied most of the East Side of Block 4, 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 978th 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 365 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, Vic, Nikki, CJ, Mesha, Chrisanne and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our 329th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Allan recruited me to help get the Studebakers in line after the Edsels, Emil & Linda would also help out keeping the others in their parking spots until being directed out.

Good seeing you out tonight Joe Rodhouse, hurry back!

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See you all "Out There"