It was another Summer day, or at least that is what it felt like. Yesterday it was COLD today not so cold. No wonder there are so many colds amongst the Cruisers and their families… Once the weather makes up it’s mind. A winter to remember so far. Next weekend, the 26th, we’ll be treated to cookies and Coffee, our regular Christmas gift from Old Town. We are also encouraged to decorate our cars even though it is more of a Boxing Day Cruise.

Anyway back to today, the Great Chili Cook-off was underway at “Kool Kats”, Lee was at the gate with his welcoming smile as usual. Dave was at the Cruise office to register us and Steve K4SKM had his Model T parked next to the Carport, yes he drives it all the way from the other side of Saint Cloud, it isn’t a trailer queen. Not to many other cars in place as of yet. There was a promise of rain and the skies looked as though it might. Emil, KJ4GNH, had his “High School Flame” parked on a place he likes to call his own. It would be a while before anyone else would join us in Block 4. Tom & Chris already had their Camaro parked up in Block 1, they were contestants in the cook-off. Tom would be the next to arrive in our group with the ‘Cuda, Lori would bring the Challenger later. We headed to the top of “Trophy Row” to see who was out. Roger was setting behind that great ‘66 Cyclone GT. Bob the head Loon was out in his ‘64 Comet, Larry & Cris in the VW and Tony & Marianne were in their SS454 Monte Carlo and most of the “Redline Rodders” were in place. Darrell would have his LTD by the stairs and Karen and the kids were behind them as usual. The Bleacher Bunch” was in place in front of the “Tropical Breeze” even Duffy had his T-Bucket parked there. Block 1 had some cruisers from the West Coast of Florida I am not sure of the names as no one was around when we walked by. Bob would have his ‘63 Corvair in a spot that Dale usually has his ‘57 Chevy in but it is out for some work. 2 out of the 3 amigos were in place and Bill would have his ‘53 Ford “Show Time” pick along the fence. The day was set for a fine day of cruising. Again this holiday season brakes some of our regulars away from us but brings in more “Snowbirds” and Cruisers from out of state that just had to Cruise the brick streets of Old Town.

After we got back down to our car, Charlie arrived and Ron S followed Dan Z in his ‘62 Chevy and Max in Ron’s ‘34 Ford with his ‘36 Ford Ragtop. By now Miguel was parked south of the “Beer Tent”. Conrad would come out later in his NFT57 but I didn't get to talk with him. We were already walking up to Flippers when we saw Tom & Bunny arrive in her ‘68 Fairlane. They would join us at the table, Angie would take good care of us. The Tex-Mex Express was also very busy feeding the hungry cruisers as was “Kool Kats”. 3 great places to eat. While we were dinning the cars kept rolling in, including the ‘62 Silver Cloud Rolls Royce, that’s right, Neil & Elaine are back in town.

After dinner on our stroll back to the car we would chat with the latest arrivals that included Dale who had been to the Davenport show earlier in the day. Stan the Pacerman sent in lots of photos of that show, check it out on line. Bert & Ernie were in town by now and had joined the “Under The Stairs Bunch” that included Lynn, Skűter. Pep and Nancy. Mike Singer. KJ4GNI was in the “Blue Room” by now with his mix of Holiday songs and his regular nostalgic music. Dave would have his ‘57 Chevy “Mint Julep” in it’s place next to Warren in his Caddy. Kay & Joe were just to the North in the Camaro, Ray Ray and John weren’t far away either. I even spotted the “Slick 51” and it had a bumper! John B said after nearly 60 years the old blue truck deserved one and he got it one at the Turkey Run.

Once we were back in Block 4 more of the “Regulars” arrived. You know a winter regular in that truck that doesn’t know what color it wants to be. Brought out by John & Janice, the ‘39 Chevy of Don & Pat’s and of course Gale in his ‘34 Ford. He actually cruised again! Anyway they parked across from us, Ron B brought out his ‘70 Monte Carlo, “Cigar Bob” was riding with him. Tony & Donna would arrive in their Mustang and even Doug and Trish would make it out for the evening.

We would actually spend time by the car, we did a few less laps of Old Town and visited with all that stopped by. With this holiday season upon us we’ll see a few old friends that only come to Florida for Christmas there will be regulars that leave town to spend time with family where ever they maybe. We will be spending the Holiday’s as we have always done right there with our Old Town family. Who knows, maybe even our kids will take time from their busy schedules and stop by to see us. The rest of the night was spent once again spinning the yarn that will become the fabric of the latest nostalgia, cars would continue to arrive right up to 8:00. The time between then and the start of the cruise would be spent informing those guests that seem to coagulate along the blocks of “Trophy Row” to head on over to the “even side” of Deac Hundley Avenue, so that they could see every car roll on by them. Not just see the ones from above their current position. I guess after nearly 20 years there are still a lot of “First Timers” and they do not know where to be. Oh yeah, check out the photos from Sunday’s Jingle Bug Rocks ! Show on line, Ted got a bunch of good ones.

Esther & Cordell would stop by just after 8:20, with the Flag Winners, the Cruise Staff would direct Herbie the "Love Bug" a '65 VW Bug, followed by another Herbie then a VW VAN, you guessed it it was Steve Love with his Mom & Dad, this months Cruiser of the Month who was then followed by the rest of the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Chrisanne & 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, radio "Jingles" and a few "Seasonal Songs" 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 185 cars in cruise 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.

Newsletter #271 is on sale, still only $2
1018 369 124 65
 

See you all "Out There"