Linda & I started the day off by replacing the Water pump in the old Dodge. OK so I waited until after I burned my hands in a volcanic overheating episode on Friday. The thing was now replaced and we were on our way to Old Town. Steve Mc, K4SKM was on his way out in the Model A, Son-In-Law Mat was at the controls of the Corvair and the rest of the kids/grandkids were split between the cars and the daily driver that Cheryl was piloting. Their day was set. We were running a little behind and Emil, KJ4GNH was already parked in his “High School Flame” down there in block 4. It was HOT - Looked like we were going to get some rain. Will that stop us? I think not. Lee was at the gate when we arrived, Dave was at his post as we made the turn at the clock. There was a great ‘47 Lincoln on the corner and Bob, the “Head Loon” was in place in his GMC, not his ‘64 Mercury. As we made our way to Florida Plaza the Town was still not very busy but then again it was early. Our line up would be a few short as Mike, N4HHA was once again trapped at the airport and Tom & Bunny were headed to New Jersey to pick up Bunny’s Cruiser.

Gary was everywhere in his Golf Kart, I was getting tired just watching him make the many trips around town to get things set up. CJ was spotted heading for the parking lot that was already starting to fill up. The clouds were building around us early.

T Rod, KT4ROD would stop out for a while. Bill & Doris would stop by for a chat just about the time Linda & I were to head up to the top of “Trophy Row”. It was a very busy night last night.

Larry was parked at the bottom of Block 3 in his ‘72 Buick Skylark, most of the gang that hangs out behind the maintenance shed were in place. Nick would be in his ‘32 Ford Coupe, Mark was in his ‘63 Falcon next to him. “Scary Larry” was out with Big John. Mike’s yellow ‘65 GTO wasn’t far away. Cris & Larry’s Falcon was in it’s favorite place, Bill L was in his ‘55 Chevy and John & Rich were just down from them in the ‘57 Chevy. The “Redline Rodders” were in place, John had his old Plymouth out tonight. Pablo & Nilda were parking their ‘68 Nova next to the steps. Across from them was Don & Jackie’s Model A pickup. The Amigos were in place, Duffy was at the top of Block 1 in his T-Bucket and Morris had his “My 2nd 50” across from him. On our way back down from this trek we would stop by and see Mike & Miguel with their Fairlanes in the “Winners Circle”.

Graham, G4HFG from Oldham England would check in over the radio as he does every Saturday, with news on their next Florida excursion, Late September and Edith is coming with them. Then Tony, K4AVD from Wisconsin would check in over the radio and bid his an Sharon’s best wishes to all of their friends in Florida, wishing that they were back cruising the brick streets of Old Town.
 

Laura, NO4OO would call in on her way to work. Linda and I would take it easy for a while and visit with the Clan McCullough, that came to visit from Missouri and Colorado. It has been several years since we had seen them all. They know just where they are going on a Saturday when visiting Steve, Old Town of Course. This group included Mat, Son in-law, Daughters, Amy, Carrie and Shelly. Grand daughters Riley, Payton and Marley. Then there was the Great Grand daughter, Ainsley, she provided us with hours of entertainment. This little one and Marley really loved the Old Model A and the knobs from the radio in the Corvair. Thank you to Steve & Cheryl for sharing their family with us. Tom & Chris would be out in their Camaro, Tom & Lorie would have the Mustang and the ‘Cuda out tonight.

It was time to eat, so we headed to “Flippers” as usual, we would have a new server tonight, Daniel. The rest of the staff was very good in their mentoring of him.

On our way back to the car we would visit with the latest arrivals. I would stop up and see Mike Singer, KJ4GNI in the “Blue Room”, Lorie the “Queen of Doo Woop” was visiting. It seemed as though the town was nearing Max capacity as far as the spectator crowd went. We would get a little shower of rain, enough to cool us down a bit and keep some of the Cruisers away.

The rest of the night was spent visiting with the large crowd and remising with all that cared to share their Car Stories with us all. Bunny would call from the road, 2 hours from their destination to make sure that we said Hi to all from them and to see how it was going. OK so they missed us all already, this is what this place and the people that come out do to you. They become part of your family. Our Cruisers really care about one another.
 

Just after 8:20 Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners". The Cruise Staff would start by directing the July "Cruiser of the Month", Miguel & Elizabeth Lopez, in their '68 Fairlane on to the Cruise Route, then the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Mesha would bring them to Block 4 that becomes the staging area for Old Town's signature event. Then 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" would give the safety announcements, and play the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack", then proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", for this the 997th 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 184 cars in parade formation cruised past, delighting a 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", Tex Mex Express & "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 348th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Linda & I would come back for part 2 tonight, Emil has won a flag and we wanted to see him receive it and we might start coming back more often for the final festivities. We are only a few weeks away from the Grand Cruise, lots going on that day. First a Fairlane Show then the big event. All Cruiser registration numbers will be reassigned starting on that day, August 15th. Come back for the Cruise-O-Matic, the drawing will continue until there is a winner, then the old registration numbers will be retired to the trash can.
 

Get well Joe Rodhouse we all miss you!

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See you all "Out There"