The last Saturday of June 2009. The Amateur Radio community would be having an “International Field Day” , time got away from the members of the Old Town Amateur Radio Cruisers and we would not participate this year except for a lone 10M contact from our old Dodge. All that headed for Old Town would bring as much rain gear as they could, with a 70% chance of it we were bound to get wet.

We would arrive at our regular time. Mike, N4HHA was stuck at work, much to his dismay, Lee was at the gate, Dave, Esther and Nikki were at the office, Steve Mc, K4SLM was already in winners circle as we made our turn by the Cruise office on to “Trophy Row. Mark would already have his “Beast” the ‘63 Falcon just where he likes it. James would have his ‘67 Firebird on the corner, filling in for “Big John”. The “Looney Bin” would have bill in his ‘55 Chevy and John with his ‘57 Chevy.

Emil, KJ4GNH, would have his “High School Flame” In a spot he likes to call his own. He stopped in Saint Petersburg this morning and completed his next level examination and is now a General Class Amateur Radio operator, Congratulations! Linda & I would take a trip to the top of “Trophy Row”, Linda would have to stop over at the bench by the office, she was having a hard time with the allergies today. Anyway I would head up and chat with Bill who had his ‘55 Chevy in the “Looney Bin”, Larry & Cris that were next to him in their Falcon. Most of the “Redline Rodders” were in place by now and Karen and the Kid’s were in place behind the stairs. The “Bleacher Bunch” were in place and only Mark of the Amigos was out early. With the weatherman calling for a 70% chance of rain it would take a toll on our numbers tonight. You could see dark clouds all around us but none were threatening us yet.

After we got back to the car, Steve Mc, K4SKM would stop by, T Rod, KT4ROD would check in while he was at work. Charlie would arrive so it was near time for us to head up to “Flippers” for dinner. A few more cars would make it to Block 4 including Dave & Nancy in their ‘55 T-Bird, Mike & Miguel in their “Fairlanes”. The “Beer Tent” Was doing a little business as the spectator crowd slowly built.

On the way up we would visit with others that had arrived including Louie who was in his spot in the “Benova” grocery getter wagon. Dave who had situated his “Mint Julep” ’57 Chevy in it’s spot under the carport, Bert & “Ernie” who were out in their ‘66 Comet Wagon, Lynn who brought out her ‘49 Ford pickup and Mike, another Amigo that made it out before 4:00. The Patio of both Flippers and the Tex Mex Express were pretty empty, it had turned hot once again. On second look both establishments were quite busy, I guess the Town goers were soaking up some of those cooler BTU’s. Once again our party chose to dine alfresco, John would come out to take care of us once they were caught up a bit inside. Dave D, and Steve Mc would also join us on the patio. We weren’t there long and Tom & Bunny would arrive in the ‘66 Malibu and join us at the tables. “Red Racer” Ted, KE4TTE was heard on the radio and was on his way to Old Town but not in time to join in with us. It looked as though there was some rain coming in on us so we all stayed put for a while then took a leisurely walk back to Block 4. There were only 50 cars on “Trophy Row” when we went to eat. Ron H was in his area near the stage visiting and guiding cars, “The Blue Suede Review” was setting up on stage, Dwight Icenhower would join them for the 3rd set. The empty spots we had noticed on the way up were starting to fill up. Rich was in the Kelly’s Shack on duty with the Cruise News. Juan was out in one of his cars, I didn't’ spot which one but I did spot him. Ray Ray had his ‘32 Ford near the stage and the Tropical Breeze Bunch was in place, building in anticipation of the nights music. Fred & Betty would have their ‘64 1/2 Mustang North of the stage. The “Town” was filling up with people that were milling around the cars and the shops out on Deac Hundley Avenue. Linda & I missed Bill & Doris a few times but finally ran into them about halfway down Block 2. Doug would be looking for them later.

As the night went on we would have a lot of questions about the 1st Anniversary of the “Rock at the Clock” event, that is July 8th by the way, yes the first 200 cars that come out to play will receive a special Pin that Tracy commissioned. It looks strangely like the Wednesday Nite Cruise-In Logo in the masthead of this magazine. The 50/50 drawing will be at 7:40 or so and Allan will cruise all the attend up the bricks of Deac Hundley Avenue in celebration at 8:30PM. Be there, it is open to Cruisers of Friday and Saturday. I also would like to remind all of you that the Cruiser Number Redo will start on the 15th of August. This is the “Grand Cruise” and the “Cruise-O-Matic: will be given away. The numbers will be drawn from the Old Cruiser Numbers until there is a winner.

As we approach the 20th year for running these Old Cars on the Streets of Old Town it seems funny that some of the cars that are now the classics and Cruising the Bricks are some of the same cars some of us moved to Florida in. Time keeps marching on, the cars keep coming out and the audience still loves the Hot Rods, Street Rods, Antique and Classics that grace this great shopping and dinning attraction that has become a “Home Town” to many of us. There are many that are just discovering what all of us have been up to for nearly 2 decades. Then there are the visitors from all over the world that keep coming back every year. There are Pubs in the UK that play home videos of us every weekend and have been doing so for many years. Over there it is billed the Best Show in Town and it’s all FREE! A place to meet old friends and make new ones. Sorry I got off on a feeling again but it happens. The rest of the evening was spent chatting with all that would stop by, I guess that is what inspired the previous thoughts. Our audience loves us because we make them part of the show.

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" for the last time during his reign followed by Dave in his "Mint Julep" '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. Allan, who had been doing double duty, had been at the controls of the "Blue Room" off and on 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 993rd running of this tradition. The Cruisers made their way to the "Bricks" of "Deac Hundley Avenue", Allan announced the Flag Winners as the rest of the 155 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 343rd consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Get well Joe Rodhouse we all miss you!

Hurry back Mike Singer!

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See you all "Out There"