The weatherman told us that it was going to be a very Hot and sticky day. There were lots of white puffy clouds in the sky and the temps were in the 90's by Noon. Linda & I would back the Dodge out from under the carport and head for our "Home Town" for another Saturday. Steve Mc, K4SKM had called on the radio and he was headed out the Parkway in his '29 Model A. Mike, N4HHA was still trapped at the airport working. Today the crowd would be a little smaller this week, many of the 2nd Saturday of the Month shows would be going on in Central Florida. This is a good thing, especially on the heels of last weeks 19th and last nights 11th Anniversary Cruises. The Cruise Staff would get a chance to have an easier night. The NBA "Jam Van" was behind "Kid's Town for the day as a prelude to next weeks 3 on 3 Hoops Street Showdown. So, for a slow day it was a busy one for our regular audience.

Lee would be at the gate when we arrived. "Big John" was in a Chevelle SS Convertible in front of us. As we made the turn by the Clock, Dave was at the ready to sign us in, Steve Mc already had his '29 Model A parked in his place of honor. Nikki was back on duty in the "Cruise Office", welcome back, you have been missed. The "Looney Bin" had many of it's regulars in it, including Bob in his '72 GMC, James in his '67 Pontiac, Bill in his '55 Chevy, Cris & Larry in their Falcon and John's silver '57 Chevy. Emil, KJ4GNH had his "High School Dream" parked in Block 4 and worked the gate for us so that we could take our spot. Once we were situated, T Rod, KT4ROD called to say he would join us for dinner. Graham, G4HFG from Oldham, England would make his first of several contacts to bid all the Cruisers hello from the UK, wishing he was back at Old Town with all of us. Bill & Doris would be up at the Chick-fil-A today, they will send us a report that will appear on-line.

We would take our first trip up "Trophy Row", well, Linda would stop by the "Uptown Hair Salon" for a haircut and an interview, I would stop to visit with all that were in Town. Juan arrived in his T-Bird, Bob in his '68 SS396 Chevelle, Nick & Fran in the '32 Coupe and Mark in his '63 Falcon, "Beast" would be in their favorite spots. Most of the "Redline Rodders" were in place, Bob would have his '65 Rambler in his spot. Karen & the Kids were in their spot behind the stairs. Lynn, who was out in her '49 Ford and Nancy would already be under the stairs. Darrell would have his '66 LTD just where he likes it. Duffy would be in the first spot of Block 1, the family of Finley Jackson, who passed away yesterday, would have his T-Bucket next to him. Finley and that car will be missed by us all. Bill would have his '53 Ford F1, "Show Time" next to the fence. I would catch up with Linda and we would visit the merchants along Deac Hundley Avenue. The Old Town Express was running it's route from "Kid's Town" to the "Super Shot". Jim R would arrive in his '67 GTO and park across from the "Looney Bin". Once we were back at the car, Tom & Bunny would bring their '66 Malibu to Block 4 and park next to Emil. Mike and Miguel would have their Fairlanes behind the General Store, Raf would have his Nova nearby. Tony, K4AVD, former Cruiser of the Month, now living in Wisconsin would check in over the radio and send their greeting to all and remind us that it was almost time to head to dinner. Just after T Rod arrived we would head for dinner.

On our walk to "Restaurant Corner", we would see Dave D arrive in his '57 "Mint Julep" Bel Air convertible, the top 3 Blocks were near capacity as we walked by the latest arrivals. Gary & Dave had been busy all day as usual and Dave was now assisting Lee at the gate. Gary was down in Block 4. Mike, Mark and Ken were in their spots near the top of Block 1. John would take care of our group. Trish & Gina would stop out to say hello, Charlie would join us. Tony, K4AVD called in to be sure we were at the table. He would be taking his grandkids to a "Drive-In" in Richland Center, Wisconsin tonight in his '62 Ford Fairlane. The patio was filling up with regulars by now, The Tex-Mex Express next door was getting very busy as well, Joe & Kay, who's Camaro was now on "Trophy Row" made their way for a little Tex-Mex food. "Kool Katz" was serving a steady stream of people as well. The cars kept rolling in, Doc & Cara in the old "Tater Truck', Bill in his Duster and Roger in his '62 SS Nova were spotted arriving while we were dinning. As we made our way back to Block 4, Steve & Amanda rolled in to Town with their '56 Chevy. Coy, Jazzmine and most of the "Tropical Breeze" bunch were in place. "Shout" the band was setting up on stage, Pablo & Nilda that were in their Nova and Nancy along with Lorie would be under the stairs by now. "Red Racer" Ted, KE4TTE was now in town taking pictures.

When Suzanne would arrive to join Doc, she would have a Birthday Cake for Bill who had now been joined by Cindy & Josh. She read it in the newsletter and we would have yet another Birthday celebration from the back of that '30 Chevy truck. Wayman, AA4FW from Jacksonville would notice the antennas on our Dodge and talk a little radio and cars. The spectator crowd was growing by now and myths and legends of the vintage cars on display were heard on the streets. The Orlando Temple of the Bahia Shrine "Roadrunners" would bring a couple of their parade cars out to display tonight. Then it was about 6:30, the wind kicked up, the skies were turning black, Mark took his "Best" out to put in it's box, it sure looked like we were going to get a storm. About 20 minutes later it was cooled off a bit and a few sprinkles would hit the streets but that was it. We were spared from a "Pop up" storm that would actually leave hail in some nearby areas. Clarke, KB4VYM, a former Cruiser now living in Tucson, visiting Florida for a few days, would actually take a Taxi from Disney World, leaving the family behind so that he wouldn't miss a Saturday Nite Cruise before heading back to Arizona. He wasn't disappointed. We hope to see him the next time they come East.

Just after 8:20 Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners". The Cruise Staff would start to direct the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Mesha would lead Steve McCullough, K4SKM in his 1929 Model A Sports Coupe our June "Cruiser of the Month" followed by Marc in his '56 Chevy and Dave in the '57 Chevy to Block 4 that becomes the staging area for Old Town's signature event. The rest of the cars from the top 3 Blocks would join in behind them. Mike Singer, KJ4GNI, who had been at the controls of the "Blue Room" all day, 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 991st 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 167 cars in parade formation cruised past, delighting a 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, Deputy Asa and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making our 342nd consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Get well Joe Rodhouse we all miss you!

Big John wanted me to let everyone know that the Memorial will be updated quarterly, he would also like to thank those who have given him the names of those that were not listed. It is important to remember those who have been with us and that helped make this Cruise what it is today. The Cruisers are truly a family that has gone on for nearly 20 years now.

I continue this newsletter so that the world knows just how lucky we are to have such a brotherhood. Linda & I try to visit with as many people as we can every week.
 

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See you all "Out There"