It was 7:45 in the morning when I first arrived at Old Town, it was 7:59 when Emil, KJ4GNH arrived in his ‘48 Ford. We would then head off to pick up Linda that I let sleep while I came to get him. Then it was off to the Central Florida Fairgrounds for the 64th annual Hamcation event. OK so I started off with radio stuff this week but there were sure a lot more of the HAMS up there than I expected, yesterday we spent the day there in the rain now today it was bone chilling cold. This event like the Saturday Nite Cruise is an international event, there was even a guy running around in his kilt, yes, he was Scottish, lots of English and Canadians, others from Europe, South America and of course all 50 states. This has been going on every year since the late ’40’s, amazing.

Anyway it was just after 3:00 when we got to Old Town from Orlando. Lee was at the gate as usual. Dave was way over there, in a puddle of sun instead of his regular spot. I sure couldn’t blame him it was still cold and the Sun just came out about the time we arrived. There were not many Cruisers in town yet tonight. Miguel had his ‘68 Fairlane on the other side of the Beer Tent. John & Janice would be parked across from our parking area with their ‘48 Western Flyer bus that had been converted to a motor home. It’s been about 3 years since we have seen them on a Saturday. Charlie would move the cone so that we could park. Bill & Doris were already waiting for us to arrive, they too were all bundled up and didn’t think they would last all day and night. They about froze last night. Our first walk up “Trophy Row” would also be our walk to “Flippers”. We would visit with all that were in Town, Bob the Head loon was in a Snowmobile suit but then he was warmer than the rest of us. Mark R and his son were in town checking out the cars. Mike & Carol would be in the Sun with their Dodge Dart 360 Sport. They arrived on Wednesday from Canada for the Cruising Season. Most of the Redline Rodders were in place, Bob would have his ‘40 Buick in his spot and Darrell was next to him with his ‘66 LTD. Bert & Laverne were nearby in their ‘66 Comet. Bill A would be North of the stage in his ‘63 Pontiac, Larry & Karen would join him later in “ITZA40”. The Amigos were in place. Did I mention it was cold? This has got to be the worst winter we have had in a very long time. This show still has to go on and it does, our out of town and or country visitors, like our friends from Holland, will always have cars to look at. This summer it will mark the 20th anniversary of this weekly tradition.

Anyway, we would be served by Angie at Flippers, Fred from Michigan, who brought out his ’61 Corvair, would join us just before we were ready to head back to the car. Yes we dined outside, we were dressed for the outdoors and though it was best. On the way back to the car I spotted John B in his “Slick 51”, Dave D was out in his “Mint Julep ‘57 Chevy convertible. Richard was in the Kellys’ building, his ‘67 El Camino was across from him. The other John & Janice with that ‘48 Chevy truck that doesn’t know what color it wants to be, arrived in it, Don was in his ‘39 Ford and Gene & Diane were in his ‘28 Studebaker. They picked spots in Block 4 near our cars. The old Stude has been sold but we’ll see it and it’s new driver in the future. Jim C would have his Challenger parked by Tom & Lori’s ‘Cuda and Challenger, it was a MOPAR fest! February always has it’s sweetheart Cruisers couples that Cruise and they usual bring 2 cars out on Saturday and have for several years now. Mark’s Nova was in it’s regular place and with Tom & Bunny not here today I didn't even see Mark or maybe we did, it is really hard to tell who is who when there are so many layers of clothes, Ed, WB8BHL, would make it out for a few minutes, he was in search of some Mustang stripes or at least photos of them, he is getting closer to painting his car and getting out to Old Town. “Red Racer” Ted, KE4TTE would make it out to take some photos. Kelly Cunningham was set to ride with Mark in his Nova. Tim A stopped by just before cruise time as did Doug. I spotted him later by Ted while he was directing the Cruisers behind Kid’s Town.

We sure need the weather to get back to being like we are actually in Florida! Our Cruise would be a bit larger, heck even the Canadians leave early because it is too cold, imagine that. It is still always a good time, lots of friends to talk with and new ones to make. There are always returning Cruisers as well as spectators every Saturday night regardless of the weather. It is almost like the old post office saying. “Hot or Cold, Tropical Storms, Hurricanes and even snow don’t stop the Diehards from coming out to their favorite place, our “Home Town”.

Earlier in the evening a ‘06 Corvette was allowed to join in our Cruise, because of Sunday’s race, normally it would be too new but this one was the one driven by Jay Leno as the pace car for the 48th running of the Daytona 500. It was claimed by it’s owner, John, that it was the actual car, it had the light bar and all of the strobes that were functional and it sure lit up pretty. Tony, K4AVD our August ‘07 Cruiser of the Month, called in from Wisconsin over the repeater, he and Sharon sure miss us he says and they hope to be back to Florida next year.

Again the rest of the night was spent spinning the yarn that is the fabric of the freshly made nostalgia we serve up each and every week. Making new history with the rolling history we love to share with the people that come to Central Florida. Chatting with the old friends we have made and making new ones that will come back and frequent the shops and restaurants of our favorite place. This is one amazing hobby that brings people together even in the roughest economic times.

Esther would stop by with the flag winners just after 8:20, the Cruise Staff would direct Lori Altman in her '72 Challenger and Tom Altman in their 71 'Cuda our February 2010 "sweetheart" Cruisers of the Month, to follow that 2006 Corvette Indy Pace Car., not a clone the actual car driven by Jay Leno for the 48th running of the Daytona 500, who were then followed by the rest of the Cruisers out of their parking spots into the line up, Chris  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"  gave 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 103 cars in cruise formation cruised past, delighting a large crowd of cheering spectators along both sides of the Avenue. "Rain or Shine" or even Snow, 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", Kool Kats, 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 #280 is on sale, still only $2
1026 378 132 69
 

See you all "Out There"