Today the regulars would share "Trophy Row" with a bunch of T-Buckets. Linda & I would head out at our regular time, Steve Mc, K4SKM would be bringing out his '29 Model A Sport Coupe and Richard was going to bring his slant window Tudor from the other side of Saint Cloud. It was a beautiful spring day and I heard that the "Old Town Express" was now running on Deac Hundley Avenue. When we arrived at the gate Lee was there to greet us with that welcoming smile of his, Gary was by the clock with the numbers and Dave was in front of the Cruise Office to sign us in. Jim's '39 Ford was in it's place of honor, the "Looney Bin" was occupied by Bob with his GMC pickup, Larry with his '65 Falcon and Butch with the '64 Comet convertible. Bruce & Sandy were out in the "Split Window" Corvette parked in Block 3. We made our way across Florida Plaza, situated the 67 Dart, Steve left room for Richard who arrived just after Emil, KJ4GNH arrived in his “High School Flame”. T Rod, KT4ROD would arrive to join us. His friend Lori stopped by, Linda & I would make our first trip up to Block 1. The "Old Town Express" was running it's route, on the East side of the bricks. from "Kid's Town" to the roundabout at the top of Deac Hundley Avenue. This new attraction started this weekend.

Many of the "Redline Rodders" were in place, Pablo & Nilda had the '68 Nova next to the stairs, Karen & the Kids were behind them. Tom & Bunny had their '66 Malibu next to the stage, Mike & Carol was just down from them with Jim & Joyce in the  '74 Dart 360. The T Buckets were lined up South of them. Darrell was just North of the stage with is '66 LTD, The 3 Amigos were in place, Morris was out in his "My 2nd 50" and Bill was along the fence with his "Show Time" pickup. Once we were back at Block 4, Charlie, Larry, WA3PGL, Linda KA3BRP, daughter and "Red Racer" Ted, KE4TTE would stop by, the plan was to join us for dinner. Jeff, in his '59 Edsel, Dave & Nancy in the '55 T-Bird, Ron in his '37 Ford convertible and Dan Z in his '62 Chevy would make their way to Block 4.

It would take a while to make our way to Flippers, more Cruisers had arrived and we had to stop and chat with them all. By now, Dave D was arriving in his ‘57 “Mint Julep” convertible, Newt was out with a childhood friend in his ‘65 T Bird. Nick & Fran would be next to Bob B’s '68  SS396 Chevelle in their '32 Ford coupe. Mark would have to leave the “Beast” at home. His truck that he brings it with was broken but he made the 100 miles to be out with all of us. More T-Buckets were about, John & Rich would be by them in John’s ‘57 Chevy. Bert & Ernie would have the ‘66 Comet wagon near the stage, Lynn would bring the  '49 Ford Pickup out and I spotted Nancy with the Under the stairs bunch chatting with Bob who was out with his daughters and the ‘65 Rambler Ambassador. Bob & Jerri would be in their favorite spot in Block 1 with the ‘63 Corvair. Jim would be parked by the dumpster with his ’62 F-85 Convertible, Across from him was John & Sandy in the '53 Mercury, Steve & Carolyn in their  '71 Barracuda along with Steve & Donna in the  '68 GTX, I saw that same lineup Thursday night. T Rod & Lori beat us to Flippers, it was very busy there but we managed to get a table under the overhang. Trish would take great care of our large group and the meal was good as usual.

While dinning we watched many cars arrive that included Larry in his ‘56 Ford, Roger in his ‘56 Chevy, John B in the “Slick 51”, Doc, Cara and her girlfriend in the “Tater Truck”, Suzanne would join him later. Neil & Elaine would bring out the ‘62 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. Steve & Amanda were also out in their '56 Chevy, It's all one color now!

The walk back to the cars after dinner took longer than normal. The top 3 Blocks were filled to capacity so there were even more Cruisers to talk with, “The Blue Suede Review” was setting up on stage. Larry & Karen were arriving in "ITZA40" as we made our way past the Cruise Office. Roger arrived in his ‘70 Camaro “My Phase” followed by Shane in his ‘57 Chevy. It has been about a month since we have seen them. The “Electric Car” parked nearby them. John in his ‘48 Chevy pickup would be followed by Glen in the ‘28 Studebaker. Roberta the "Beer Lady" was doing a fine business and the cars were wrapped around the corner of “Kid’s Town” before 5:30. Tom & Chris had the ‘Vette out and Dough & Trish were parked by them in their ‘68 Bronco. “Cigar” Bob would be in his ‘36 Ford, John would have his ‘65 Mustang and “Bo” would be out in his ‘64 Corvair. Mike & Linda’s SS454 Chevelle was all alone behind the roller coaster when we saw it, almost the same spot as it was in last week.

Our “Snowbirds” will start to leave for the trip back to the cold country in the next few days, tonight would be the last Saturday before the trek is started. Some will be around for a few more days and maybe another Saturday, It is always good to have them in town enjoying the Florida weather and the friends that they have made over the years. Most of them will keep up with what is going on down here on the website and usually let me know when they are headed back to see us all next year. As always 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 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 T-Bucket's, 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 979th 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 299 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 330th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Get well Joe Rodhouse, we all miss you!

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See you all "Out There"