It was amazing, when we headed out to Old Town we didn’t have to dress in 6 layers and bring more along! It has been a hard winter all over I guess but it is not suppose to give us here in Florida all of that Cold, is it? Lee was at the gate with his welcoming smile. The streets were already busy with spectators and shoppers. There wasn’t anything special going on this weekend other than the Cruise it self. All around central Florida there would be many other car shows happening today. As you know you can cruise any day of the week here in Florida including Thursday’s over in saint Cloud by the Sonic/Wal-Mart. Anyway there was a lot of competition for the cars today but it looked like we were headed for a 3rd week of February record number of cars on the bricks.

As we made the turn at the Clock we spotted Dave in his registration area, Gary was there too. Steve Mc, K4SKM had his Model A parked next to the carport and “A Taste of Chicago” sandwich bar was set up next to the Mike Kelly’s shack. The “Looney Bin” was occupied by Bob in his ‘64 Comet and Cris & Larry in the Tweety VW. Kathy had the Fairlane parked in their Decades spot. Bruce and Sandy would have their Split Window Corvette just where they like it. Emil, KJ4GNH was already parked in Block 4 with his ‘48 Ford but he and Charlie had taken a side trip to Downtown Disney. Once we were parked, Bill & Doris would stop by for a visit, Bunny would arrive in her ‘68 Fairlane followed in by Tom in his ‘66 Chevelle. They would be joined later by Jim & Joy along with daughter Gwen & Summer. It wouldn’t be long then before Ron & Renee would back their ’61 Caddy into a spot just down from us.

On our first trip to the top of “Trophy Row” We spotted Mike & Carol’s Sport 360 Dart, not to far away from John’s ‘57 Chevy. larry in his “ITZA40” told us about a family from Norway that he had met Friday. They bought a ’58 Bel Air 4 door hardtop somewhere in Colorado and were going to ship it back home. We would later meet Solfrid, Morten and Hans-Petter Hoeen members of the “Norwegian American Cars Association” in their rust free, original, un restored 348 Powered Chevy. I know I am ahead of myself but this happens sometimes when I see a few unusual cars or meet some new people from overseas that are cruising with us. Then on the other hand someone that has had a couple of special vehicles and has never cruised them. This would be Bill & Caren from Winter Park, later in the day they would bring 1 of their 2 Mercedes Uni-Mog trucks. This one was their yellow ‘65 Military Radio Communications truck, of course this one has been repurposed as a mobile Headliner installation vehicle and has been wrapped with their advertisement. This too is a great pecie of automotive history. The other is a repurposed ‘68 Fire Truck. O.K. so I’ll try to get back on track now. T Rod, KT4ROD called in to say he wouldn’t be out. Graham, G4HFG from England checked in. Laura , NO4OO would join our group for dinner that included Fred from Michigan that will be headed back home until the end of April. He should join us about the time we have our spring “British Invasion”.

Lori & Tom had their Mopars on display as the Cruising Couple for February. Most of the Redline Rodders were in their favorite spots, Lori, Lynn, Pablo, Bert & Laverne were by the stairs, Karen and the kids were behind them. Darrell was parked next to Bob who was out in his’ 40 Buick. The parking was becoming a premium by about 5:00. The “911 Semi Tractor” was on display by the stage. Dave & Nancy would arrive in the ‘55 T-Bird, from about here in it was starting to blur. Just so many people were around the streets were Cheek to Cheek. Mike and Carolyn Weiss former locals now living in Tennessee would stop by to say Hello. It sure was good to see them. We hope to see them on Wednesday before they head back. I spotted Tom & Chris come in stopped to see Tony & Donna way around the back. Even Gary & Wanda would make it out on this beautiful night in their ‘55 Chevy. Tonight’s trip up the even side of Trophy Row would be a lot longer than the past few weeks, the near capacity crowd will enjoy seeing such diversity of automobiles. Gale would come to Block 4 in his ‘34 Ford, Don had his ‘39 Chevy, Gale is carless as he sold his Studebaker. John & Janice were called out of town. Now next week we will be treated to all of those Nostalgic Novas on both Friday & Saturday. The Wide Track Warriors will also be in town on Saturday. “Trophy Row” will not open until 3:00 for the regulars. This will give the staff time to turn around the Pontiacs. Early birds, you can line up at your regular time but you won't get in till 2:00.

That blur continued, we spoke with people from allover the planet, England, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Norway and Australia. Everyone of them told us that they had head about us and just had to come see for themselves on just how good this event really is. None were disappointed today that is for sure. As always the rest of the night was spent spinning the yarn for the freshly made Nostalgia.

Come on out on a Wednesday Friday or Saturday night and be part of this 20 year old tradition, the spectacle that is “The Saturday Nite Cruise”. It never gets old or does it continue to get older? Hmmmm, I’ll have to think about that one a little. Happy Anniversary to Linda, Thanks for putting up with me. Let’s keep on going.

Esther would stop by with the flag winners just after 8:20, the Cruise Staff would direct Lori Altman in her '71 Challenger and Tom Altman in their 71 'Cuda our February 2010 "sweetheart" Cruisers of the Month 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, 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 305 cars in cruise formation cruised past, delighting a capacity 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 #281 is on sale, still only $2
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See you all "Out There"