Twas the eve of All Saints Day, a Saturday none the less. A time to go a haunting, even for those that are still on this plane. A time to blend with the souls that have passed, a time for fantasy. Characters of literary works merge with those of Sci Fi. More importantly a day for family fun and friends alike to come together in their “Hometown”. Sure it’s a car show extravaganza as it is every week for the last 20 years but it is always just a little more and special around the Holiday’s.

As we arrived it was Lee at the gate and lots of spirited and costumed folks on the streets. Some of the cars had a few more spider webs on them than normal. Dale was parked in his place of honor and Bill Z had his Pantera in Big John’s parking spot. Nick was already parked in a spot next to Bob in the ‘71 Z-28. Linda would open the gate for our trip across Florida Plaza. Emil, KJ4GNH who had already parked his ‘48 Ford in a place he likes to call his own next to Steve Mc, K4SKM who brought out his ‘20 Model T. He was also in costume as a “Working stiff” of that era.

It was unseasonably warm as the entire month had been except for the second weekend that was actually cold. Many record high temps and a few lows all in the same month. This would take it’s toll on the costumes, many would not “dress” for the occasion but that did not stop the entire town from getting into the spirit of things. This would also be the 5th Saturday of the month so there would be people in town that we really only see when this occurs. I mean on one street corner I saw all most all of the Central Florida’s Car Show DJ’s. That’s right not only Butch & Jen but there was the “Queen of Doo Wop” and Don & Tara too. Check out Ted’s pictures on line for that photo.

Bunny, in her ’68 Fairlane would be the next to arrive to Block 4, Tom and his ‘66 Malibu were still over at the motel. Tom was helping Mark with his latest Cruiser. Bill & Doris would stop by for a chat after Linda and I came back from our first trip to the top of “Trophy Row”. On that trip we would encounter many of the regulars that were in place, Bruce & Sandy in the Slit window Vette, Ron & Renee in their ‘61 Caddy in Block 3, Cris and Larry with their VW along with Bill L in his ‘55 Chevy in the “Looney Bin” a little further up the “Redline Rodders” that included Roger F in his Early Nova SS convertible. Darrell had his ‘66 LTD next to the stairs below the “Blue Room”. Duffy had his T-Bucket next to the bleachers and the regulars that frequent that spot. 2 of the Amigos were in their spots. Bob & Jerri were just up from them with their ‘63 Corvair. The ‘41 Studebaker “Rat Rod” was along the fence. As we were headed back that gang from Winter Haven / everywhere else backed the ‘56 Chevy Pickup, the ‘65 El Camino, the ‘51 Ford, the ‘54 Mercury pickup and the ‘65 Mopar into spots along the fence in Block 1. Lynn had also arrived in her ‘49 Ford pickup.

Once we were back at the car, Morris in his ‘50 Ford arrived. Dan Z would make it out in his ‘62 Chevy Biscayne that now had it’s 409 under the hood. Jeff would actually come out this weekend in his ‘59 Edsel. He now has a rare Edsel 9 Passenger station wagon he is working on. Can’t wait to see that one. Roger & Sue arrived in the 70 1/2 Camaro followed by Shane in his ‘57 Chevy. T Rod, KT4ROD arrived to spend the evening with us. Graham, G4HFG checked in over the radio from Oldham, England as did Collin 2E0RIG. Charlie would arrive just before it was time to head up for some eats. So we all headed for Restaurant Corner. Emil, Charlie and Steve would head over to “Tex-Mex Express”, Emil saw the food montage on their website (www.tex-mexexpress.com) and just has to try a few things and the rest of us would head for “Flippers”. John would be our server and he would take great care of us as usual. While we were there the regular early bird diners would arrive including Joe & Kay that brought out their Vette, “Raz”. Then we spotted the Marx Brothers head inside Flippers to eat. The steady stream of cars would be observed as we ate. The town was also full of many other creatures of the day. I think I even saw a member of Star Fleet on the streets.

As we made our way back to the Car we would come across Butch & Jennifer on Deac Hundley Ave. in front of W7 that was being watched very closely by a Disco Chick and a Witch. Then there he was a Big Dummy, crash dummy that is, he would be joined later by the Little Dummy, They would stay by turn to “Trophy Row” and by now there was a “Cereal Killer” registering the new arrivals, I think she has already done in a box of Captain Crunch and Cheerios. Steve Mc moved his Model T up to be by the Dean’s Studebaker wrecker / Model T that had been hijacked by the Marx Brothers. The next thing I knew is that Steve was wearing this big star shaped badge with Old Town Sherriff on it and he would be in hot pursuit of the Marx Brothers at the beginning of the Cruise. “Red Racer” Ted, KE4TTE would make it out just after dinner time and did get lots and lots of photos. Doc & Suzanne would take the vacated spot for the old “Tater Truck”. Tom & Chris would arrive in their Camaro. The night was set and the streets were full of spectators that actually became part of the show tonight. Just about every other car would have “Treats” for them. It sure is good to see the “Snow Birds” coming back. Jim C was spotted in his ‘50 Jeepster and of course the Gale in his ‘34 Ford. Gene in the ‘28 Studebaker, John & Janice in the ‘48 Chevy pickup plus the others that Cruise with them. What a great night!
 

The next thing I knew Esther would stop by just after 8:20, with the Flag Winners, 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 for the last time during his reign,  followed by the rest of the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Chrisanne 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 228 cars in cruise formation cruised past, delighting an 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 Saturday in "Town" a fun and safe one.

Newsletter #265 is on sale, still only $2
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See you all "Out There"