December 30th

The last "Saturday Nite Cruise"® for 2006! The weather could not have been much better, Tony & Sharon brought out Steve Mc's "Grinster", Steve & Cheryl were out celebrating their 30th anniversary, Happy Anniversary, you two! Anyway we headed out to Old Town at our regular time arriving just before 2:00. Ron greeted us at the gate, Bratt checked us in down by the "Haunted Mansion". There were a lot of spectators already in "Town". Blocks 1 & 2 were near capacity. Gary & Kathy along with John and Roger were at the end of block 3 as usual. It looked like it was going to be a big one tonight. We were also going to meet up with a few fellow HAM Radio operators, Ian, G4ZPZ, Wayne, VE3CEZ and their families along with Mike, N4HHA, and Kristen for lunch.

After we were parked behind "Black Hills Minerals" we sat back to enjoy the beautiful afternoon. Ed & Evelyn arrived about 3:15 in their Corvair Convertible. Gary & Wanda in the '56 Chevy. Bill & Doris stopped by for a visit. We all headed to "Flippers" for lunch just before 4:00 as usual, no sign of the others that were to meet us tonight, Mike got caught up in a service call and Ian was stuck in traffic on I-4. Jane lucked out and only had the 8 of us instead of the 15 that I thought we might have had. It was very busy, even the outside tables were filled. The line of cruisers waiting to get in at the 5:00 opening had reached all of the way down to the Red Lobster more than 2 blocks away. Jane took great care of us as she usually does. Just before we were ready to leave, we spotted Ron & Shirley making their way onto the bricks in their '53 Chevy, I knew he would be back to Old Town this year.

On the way back down we visited with many of the regulars and some new cruisers. "Reunion" was setting up on the main stage, Jennifer was once again a roving reporter over Old Town Radio with Mike Singer at the controls. Happy New Year was the phrase for the day. The stream of cars that was coming in would continue very heavily until the car count was over 200 by 6:00.

After we made it to our cars, we saw many of our regulars from Thursday Nite, Ron & Rose in the '37's. Bob in his Chevelle, wearing another pair of wheels and tires. He has 6 sets that he swaps between it and the Camaro. "Big Jim" & Norma were even out tonight in the '57 Chevy. Dan & Liz were parked up by the Cruise Office in the '41 Willys. Always a good time with friends. Chuck & Cindy got to park their T-Bucket next to the steps by the Metropolitan. Doc was out in the "Tater Truck" just back from Indiana. John B. Stopped by, he just got off the plane from Michigan. Mike & Kristen made it out just after 6:00 on their motorcycle, at least that allows them an easy parking spot. Ian, Wayne & company showed up after 7:00 we didn't get to see them  again before we headed home. Joe was out in a white '60 T-Bird that his in-laws wanted him to try and sell, a very nice car. Roger & Larry had their cars around the corner from the Roller Coaster. It seemed that tonight was the night for everyone to show up.

Tonight, Jennifer was the one to kick off the festivities. She read the safety announcements and played the National Anthem, then Wolfman Jack proclaimed, "It's the "Saturday Nite Cruise®". More then 300 cars would be making the turn by "Kids Town" onto the bricks of "Deac Hundley Blvd." to a enormous crowd of cheering spectators at least 3 to 4 deep all along the sidewalks and boulevards.

Thank you to Old Town for another great year. Thanks to them for letting all of us be their guests. To the, Merchants Association, the sponsors, the spectators and especially the Cruise Staff for keeping us all safe. We are looking forward to another year with all of our friends. Hopefully by this time next year we can add 52 more nights to this, the 214th Saturday Linda & I have come out.

Happy New Year!

On to the Flag Winners.

Tonight's random drawing winners that and received the coveted "Old Town Checkered Flag" along with $25 cash, A Case of Oil from NAPA and a drink from the Tropical Breeze.

862/214/30
 

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