We have entered the season of the rollercoaster weather. 90 plus degrees on Wednesday and then today it didn't hardly make 70 degrees. No rain though. At least at Old Town. There were shows all over Central Florida and with the first Autumn weekend the Honey Do’s were sure to be a factor in today’s attendance. We would be sure to have our “Core” Cruisers in attendance and even a few that we only see once the temperatures fall, like The “Drop Your Top” bunch that was represented by Bob & Jack in the T-Bird and the Chevelle. Tony & Marianne were spotted out in their ’71 Monte Carlo SS454. Good to see them, the Hot Weather had been keeping them away.

The “Looney Bin” was populated with the Head Loon, Bob who was out in his ‘64 Comet, Cris and Larry in the VW Mike in his ‘64 GTO. Mark would be out with his relocated son, Jason. He just moved back to the mainland from Hawaii. Jim would also be nearby with this ‘67 GTO. Mark with his “Beast” Bob in the ‘71 Z-28 and Nick & Fran in their ‘32 Ford coup were across from them. I am getting ahead of my self a bit.

We were greeted on Block 4 by Steve Mc, K4SKM who was out in his Model A. Emil, KJ4GNH was also out in his ‘48 Ford but he and Charlie took a side trip over to Disney for a look at the Grand Floridian. A few HAM radio operators from out of town could be heard over the radios but the neat thing was that Graham, G4HFG who was at home in the UK was telling John, KC2KHJ visiting Florida from upstate New York all about Old Town and inviting him to make his way over to see the cars. The plan is he will come over on Wednesday. “Red Racer” Ted, KE4TTE was bringing over the 20’ pole and the dual band antenna for the repeater a top his van. T Rod, KT4ROD was headed home from work and would stop by and help carry the equipment up to the storage room next to the Blue Room.

Allan who was at his post in his golf kart was conversing with the signs that Nikki made up for him. It seems that the cold that was passed on to him had claimed his voice. He needed to save what little voice he had for the end of the day. Get Well my friend.

On one of our trips to the top of “Trophy Row” we encountered most of the “Redline Rodders” John c would have a great 1965 396 Chevy Coupe in his spot. Bob would be next to him with his ‘65 Rambler, Darrell would be next with his ‘66 LTD.

Tom & Bunny would make their way into town with both the ‘66 Chevelle and the ‘68 Fairlane. They would make their way to Block 4 that also now included Morris in his ‘50 Ford plus a few others that used to park up in Block 1. I’ll get the names as they return. Block 1 would have the Amigos along with Bill who had his “Showtime” ‘53 Ford pickup along the fence.

This was all before dinner time. We would all head up to restaurant corner just before 4:00. Laura, NO4OO would join us during her lunch break from work. Emil, Charlie and Steve Mc would head over to Tex-Mex, Bill and Doris joined Tom, Bunny, Laura and of course Linda & I at a table on the patio at Flippers, Ted would join us a little later. John took great care of us. While on the patio we would watch a steady stream of cars make their way into town. There would be more than 100 by the time we headed back to the cars.

On the walk back we would visit with the latest arrivals including Bert & Laverne that were out in their ‘66 Comet wagon. Dave D would be under his carport visiting with Steve Mc when we made our way past it. Richard would have his ‘67 El Camino across from the Mike Kelly’s shack where he was on duty. John B was out in his ‘66 Corvette, young Mark in his ‘56 Chevy. Steve and Carole would drive by us to take a spot in Block 4 in their ‘55 Chevy. Tom had joined us in his “Cuda” a little earlier, Lori is still up North. Bob would arrive in his ‘36 Ford followed by “Bo” in his heirloom ‘70 Monte Carlo. He almost traded it off in ‘72 but they wanted a couple of thousand to do the deal, Bo decided to keep it and he has had it ever since.

The spectator crowd was growing fast by 6:00. The anticipation of Dwight singing with the “Repeatles” was growing. He will not be in “town” for the next 3 weeks, he’ll be in Tokyo with Elvis Presley Enterprises for most of that. Don’t fret, on Wednesday, Peter Alden will do his Tribute to the King.

I know I didn’t get to everyone I kinda took it easy for a change. Linda was busy knitting, you know the cold weather is coming and lots of people have been asking about hats and mittens or gloves. Oh well, it really keeps her busy. Anyone wishing to learn how to make them for themselves she is willing to give lessons while setting there at Old Town knitting her own.

The cars would continue to arrive right up to the closing of the gate at 8:00. The crowd would continue to grow and the people would stop by and visit. The night was filled with the legends of the cars on the street the nostalgia was appreciated by all that would come to Old Town for the First or even the Thousandth time. The amazing thing is that today becomes part of the rich history of our favorite place to be. Old Town our “Home Town”. I would live above one of the stores if they were available just like the apartment I had back in Sparta, WI.

The rest of the night just flew by! The next thing I knew Esther would stop by just after 8:20, the Cruise Staff would direct the October "Cruiser of the Month", Dale Krouth in his '57 Chevy Bel Air Station Wagon on to the Cruise Route, followed by the rest of the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Mesha and Dave 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, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack", then proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", for tonight's 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 215 cars in parade formation cruised past, delighting a very 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 Saturday in "Town" a fun and safe one.

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See you all "Out There"