It was one of those steamy Florida mornings, we would head out a little early, the “Cruisers of the Month” would be let in early today for this the “Grand Cruise”. Steve Mc, K4SKM was already there, he was helping Dave set up for the T-Shirt sales. The early arrivals were lined up and wrapped all the way around Florida Plaza and down into Regal Oaks. This initial line up was larger than the Anniversaries was in June. 11:00 rolled around and the Cruisers of the Month was let into town and at the same time the Cruise Staff started to register the cars that were waiting in line. The Fairlane Show that was taking place behind the A&W was in full swing. There were a few of the Saturday Regulars that were involved in that show like, Mike, Miguel and Bunny with her ‘68 Fairlane. This show had about 50 or so cars in it already, cars that would be eligible for tonight's cruise would be registered after the initial egress.

Our Dodge decided that she didn't want to start right away so we had to wait until she was ready to go. It was closer to the 12:00 before we got in. Emil, KJ4GNH was in a spot he likes to call his own when we arrived on Block 4. There were people in town today that I haven’t seen in a very long time. Bill & Jeanne, now living in North Carolina were in Town. Don W had his ‘68 Ranchero, “Plain Jane” in the Fairlane show. It is always good to see them. “Dirty Mike “ and Ellen, sans “Captain Crunch”. The big Budweiser inflatable screen was set up at Water & Deac Hundley Avenue. Later the Slide Show put together by “Red Racer” Ted would be shown.

12:00 and the cars started to roll in, down both side of the Bricks. The long line proved to be too much for a few of the Cruiser cars, a few would overheat despite the fact that the Cruise Staff was actually getting the cars into Town quicker than they did in June. If your cruiser has the tendency to do this in triple digit temperatures, maybe you should wait where you were parked then join in after a few cars have moved on in. It could not have moved in any quicker than it did. The registration is not what slowed it down, it is just how long it takes, once you factor in that these cars have to be maneuvered into it’s parking spot in front off all the rest, this is what slows down the process, not the registration.

Anyway it was less than an hour and all the cars that were on the street were now on display on “Trophy Row” and Victory Lane”.

There were just so many people in town for this one, I for one was very surprised that the car count and the spectator crowd was so large. We would make our trek to “Flippers” that had been busy all day. Laura. NO4OO, T Rod, KT4ROD would make it out to join us for dinner as would Charlie and Ted, KE4TTE. Daniel would take care of us. Kool Katz and the Tex-Mex were all as busy as Flippers today. It was a great day for the merchants and that is what I for one was hoping for. It is because of their good graces we are invited back each and every week for nearly 20 years now.

Anyway on our way back to the cars we would visit with the new arrivals, down the “Victory Lane” side of the bricks. John B arrived in his Slick 51 as we walked through the only parking area with any openings and this was before 5:00 PM. Tony & Donna weren't far away in their Mustang. Bob in the ‘36 Ford and “Bo” in his ‘70 Monte Carlo were near Doc & Suzanne that would be parked behind Sun on the Beach. Shane with his ‘57 Chevy and Roger in his Camaro were behind the Roller Coaster. Just about everyone was in “Town” today.

The rest of the evening would be spent visiting with those we haven’t seen a while and making new friends of those that have never been to Old Town. Mike, N4HHA who has been held hostage by the airport this summer made the break and joined us for most of the night and the Cruise .

We didn't get to see much of the staff after a while, the incoming cars were no longer be coming down Trophy Row, they would make their way all the way down Deac Hundley and turn on Florida Plaza and enter Victory Lane behind the A&W. Dwight Icenhower and the Blue Suede Review could be heard over all of Old Town Radio’s speakers while they were on stage, that was a good thing because it was very hard to find a spot to view and listen near the stage. Like on any Wednesday night Dwight’s regulars had camped out since early in the day.

Well, again the rest of the time just flew by with the legends and myths of these great cars we all love. Even more HAM talk as that community knows Old Town’s involvement with that hobby as well, Les KW4V would stop by earlier in the evening.

Just after 8:20 Esther stopped by with the "Flag Winners". The Cruise Staff would start by directing Dave Dean in his "Mint Julep" '57 Chevy, yes that is the car on the Grand Cruise logo, who was carrying Osceola County District 1 Commissioner,  Michael Harford tonight's "Grand Marshall" then the August "Cruiser of the Month", Jimmy & Barbara Fontana, in their '32 Deuce Coupe on to the Cruise Route, followed by the rest of 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. 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 1000th 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 654 cars in parade formation cruised past, delighting a "Cheek to Cheek" 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 351st consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

We would come back for part 2 tonight, the drawings for numbers 2,3,5,6,7,8,& 9 raffle along with the announcement of who won the silent auction the Cruiser #1 and the fact that the $1000 Cruise-A Matic was to be given away, no matter how many tickets needed to be drawn. The Cruise it self would take more than 1 hour to make it’s way up the 4 Blocks of Deac Hundley Avenue. Our guests would get a fantastic show tonight.

Allan would start off the ending ceremonies by turning the Microphone over to Gary who would present the Flag Winners. Amazing that only 4 of them would come back, oh well, they lost out. The Cruiser of the Month Jackets were awarded, A Plaque for Dave Dean was presented for all he has done over the years. Then there was the drawing for the 100 pounds of beef from Win-Dixie. These tickets were acquired by turning in the “Free Ride on the Old Town Bull” certificates. Rodney Buckingham went home with the Beef. Next the drawing for the Cruiser Numbers. #2 went home with Mike Colletta, #3 Roger Knight, #5 Bob Berube, #6 Steve Butler, #7 Lori Altman, #8 unknown, #9 Tom Altman. “Big John” won the silent auction for Cruiser #1 with his $600 bid. Then it was time to give away the Grand on this night of the Grand Cruise…. Dave would start to read the numbers that our London ticket picker pulled from the tumbler. It wasn’t really that many before Number 11377 held by David Marvica, who had his Mustang in the Cruise tonight, was drawn. He was a very happy man.

Allan would send the blame, that he had to wrangle nearly 700 cars instead of a quiet 200 car night, out to Tracy, Old Town’s Special Events Director and to me for keeping track of the Cruises and bringing it up to Tracy. Tracy and I both said you are welcome.

A Special set of cakes was brought to the tables in front of the stage. Tracy and her Poodle Skirt brigade, including Laura, NO4OO, served it up to all that wanted it.

Thank You once again to Old Town and the Cruise Staff.

Get well Joe Rodhouse we all miss you!

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See you all "Out There"