Another hot day for Central Florida, well, it is summer time and we sometimes forget that the normal high temps are 92 and the humidity is 50% or more. Today we would have a little break from that as there was some dry air over us and showers all around us.

We would head to Old Town at our regular time, Steve Mc, K4SKM would have to stay home and recuperate from the grandkids visit and all, we all forget as we get older it is hard on the back to carry those littlins around. Emil would already be at Old Town in his ‘48 Ford, parked in a place he likes to call his own down in block 4. Lee was at the gate as usual, his warm smile is always good to see. Dave would be at the Cruise office just around from the Clock and the “Looney Bin” would have a few of it’s regular inhabitants. Mark would already be in place with his Beast or Monster, that ‘63 Ford Falcon, parked next to Nick who was out in his ‘32 Ford. Bob would be in his ‘68 SS396 Chevelle. Allan was keeping cool at his regular spot. As we crossed Florida Plaza, Thanks Gary for dropping the gate, we noticed that Charlie was already in Town. He and Emil went out for lunch earlier.

We would hang out for a while before our first trip up “Trophy Row”. Tom & Bunny would arrive in the ‘66 Malibu, the new Fairlane wasn’t ready for her debut yet. On our way up we spotted Larry out in his ‘72 Buick Skylark convertible. A great ‘41 DeSoto. JR would have his “Little Shaker” Mustang in Block 3 then in Block 2, it was hard keeping track of him today. Jim & Mark would be out in their GTO’s setting in the “Looney Bin” with “Big John” that had his ‘47 Lincoln out today. Bob M was there in his ‘65 Rambler. Many of the “Redline Rodders” were in place including Darrell in his ’66 Ford LTD and John would have his yellow Plymouth out for the second week in a row. Karen & the Kids were behind the stage and we would run into Bill and Doris under the stairs with the early arrivals. John would have his ‘57 Chevy out and he and Richard were seen all over town as usual. The “Tropical Breeze Bunch” were ready for the evenings entertainment. Johnny, John Richard and David were all in place by the bleachers in the Chevy's and the Plymouth. The Amigos were in place and way at the top was John and Angel in their VW. The day was set and the cars were rolling in.
After we were back at the car. Graham, G4HFG would check in over the radio as would Laura, NO4OO, Terry, KT4ROD and Tony, K4AVD, from Wisconsin. Dave & Nancy would bring the American Austin out tonight and park just down from us. Miguel would have his Fairlane back in it’s regular spot. The beer tent was set up and doing a fine business. Charlie would make it back from a trip out of Town and Emil was back from shopping.

After a brief bout of growling stomachs we headed out for “Flippers”. On the way up Dave had arrived in his ’57 Chevy and was doing his balloon thing for the kids. Richard was at his post in the Mike Kelly’s shack and the top 2 Blocks were near capacity. Flippers and the Tex Mex express were started to get busy, that is why we always eat a little early. Ted, KE4TTE would stop by and join us for dinner. Daniel once again would be our waiter, John, Gina and Trish would stop out to say Hello. The food was good and the service was as usual. The rest of the early birds were dining as well.

On our way back to Block 4. I would stop and visit with Mike Singer, KJ4GNI in the Blue Room. Ron H was visiting with the bunch under the stairs. The “Town” was getting very busy by now.

Doug & Gizmo would be in place in the ‘60 Merc by now as would Tom & Lori in a Cuda and a Stang, Tom & Chris in the Camaro, Tony & Donna in their Mustang with a boatload of family visiting from Indiana. Bo in his ‘70 Monte Carlo and Bob in his ‘36 Ford Tudor. Ron, also visiting from Indiana brother of Kathy, Charlie's neighbor would stop out and ride in the Cruise with Emil.

Just after 8:20 Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners". The Cruise Staff would start by directing the August "Cruiser of the Month", Jimmy & Barbara Fontana, in their '32 Deuce Coupe 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 998th 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 204 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 349th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Get well Joe Rodhouse we all miss you!

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See you all "Out There"