It was a "Chamber of Commerce" day, as far as the weather went. Linda & I would head out for Old Town just after 1:00, Steve Mc, K4SKM & Richard F would be in his '29 Ford Model A headed towards us. We would be on the "parkway" ahead of them in our 67 Dart, they would get stuck in traffic a bit so the 2 car caravan would be widely spaced. Lee was at the gate when we arrived. As we made our way past the Haunted House the resident ghouls shout hello to us. Dave was at the Cruise office with the registration. As we made the turn onto "Trophy Row" the "Looney Bin" was occupied by Bob in his '72 GMC pickup and Cris & Larry in his '65 Falcon. As we made our way across Florida Plaza, Graham, G4HFG came in from Oldham, England and Terry, KT4ROD was on his way to join us as was Larry, WA3PGL and Linda, KA3BRP. I called Emil, KJ4GNH to see if he was OK, usually he would be waiting for us. He and his “High School Flame” were stuck in traffic but would join us soon. There wasn't any special car shows gong on today but I knew we would have a large car count. Tom & Bunny with Jim & Joy would park just down from us in their '66 Malibu, Dan Z would be out in a '62 Chevy Biscayne 409 car. Jeff would bring his '59 Edsel and Dave & Nancy would be out in the '55 T-Bird closer to Roberta and the Beer Tent. The streets were already bustling with spectators. Linda & I would take a walk to the top of "Trophy Row", well we actually went between Deac Hundley and it. We visited with Dave & Dawn in the Custom Tag Shop and Vernon at the Magic Store. While Linda interviewed him I would head back over to see who was in "Town". Nick & Fran would be parked in their '32 Ford and Bob would have his '68  SS396 Chevelle next to them. John would be out in the '57 Chevy, Rich was with him. Later Ray would join them in his "Little Deuce Coupe", Mike and Carol would be nearby in the '74 Dart 360. Bert would be out in his '66 Comet Wagon, Bob would have his '65 Rambler next to Lynn who brought out the '49 Ford pickup. Karen and the "Kids" would be behind the stairs. Tony & Marianne who brought out their '71 SS454 Monte Carlo were the first to be under the stairs. Darrell would have his LTD in Block 1, "The 3 Amigos" were in place, Steve & Carolyn had the '71 Barracuda behind the "Chippy Shop", John & Sandy would join them a little later in the '53 Merc. Morris would situate "My 2nd 50" just up from them and Bill would have his '53 Ford "Show Time" pickup along the fence. Larry & Karen pulled in as I walked back down in "ITZA40" and Bill would bring his Parisienne out for the last time before heading home early next Wednesday. Rich was already on duty in the Mike Kelly's" shack. Bruce and Sandy would have their "Split Window" Corvette just where they like it. Bill & Doris would stop by for a chat before heading out to join the group by the stage.

Once we were back at the Car Don & Tara would arrive in his favorite Camaro and the cars were already making their way to "Kids Town". It wasn't long before it was time to head to "Flippers" for dinner, we would chat with all of the latest arrivals, I think I even saw "Red Racer" Ted, KE4TTE, I know he was around because he sent photos in for the day. Charlie and Ed, WB8BHL would join us as we dinned alfresco. Most of the "Early Birds" including John, Roger and Jim were inside. As we were eating, Tony, K4AVD would call on the phone from Wisconsin to say "Hey, I found a Sonic up here," and to see how the Cruise was going. The cars just kept rolling in, Doc and Cara were out in the "Tater Truck", Suzanne would join them later. Larry V was out in his '54 Ford, Roger would be with him in the '56 Chevy. Ron from Iowa would bring his '66 Vette out, I mean it was a steady flow for that hour. Just before we would leave Coy, AC0Y, another local HAM would stop out for a visit to Old Town for the first time in many years.

On our way back we would chat with the rest of the latest arrivals that included Mike Singer, KJ4GNI, as he made his way to the "Blue Room". "Eddie and the Cruzers" were setting up on stage, Nancy & Lynn had joined the people under the stairs by now Dave in his '57 "Mint Julep" Chevy convertible was under the carport.  John & Janice would have their iridescent '48 Chevy pickup in Block 4 along with Gene in his '28 Studebaker. Don would have his Metropolitan under the stairs next to us. Steve & Donna would have their ' '68 GTX parked across from Emil. Neil & Elaine had the '62 Rolls Royce out tonight. The "3 Stooges" would be in the '36 Ford Tudor, '65 Mustang and the '64 Corvair behind the roller coaster. Steve would have his '67 Camaro out tonight and Don would arrive later in one of his Mopars. Serena, a model, on a Whiskey Tour, would enchant Charlie and Emil, they would convince Steve Mc to let her ride in the Cruise in his "Rumble Seat". Steve rode with her as Richard piloted the  '29 Ford Model A on the Cruise route.

Then it happened, the rest of the night was a blur! I mean it just passes so fast after dinner the next thing it seemed was that 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 for the first time during their reign, were led by Dave & Lee  followed by 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 977th 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 273 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 328th 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"