July 29th

Once again under cloudy skies we headed to meet Tony & Sharon and Steve Mc at the top of Thacker Street at 1:30 to make our way to Old Town for today's event. Ron was at the gate under his new Umbrella, you have a ceiling fan under there? As we rolled in Mr. Bill was in his usual spot registering the arriving cars. "Trophy Row" looked a little bare, these clouds in the sky must be keeping all of them away. The rain looked like it was heading for us.

We parked our cars in our "Regular" spot behind the "Black Hills Minerals". When Linda and I went to deliver the newsletters the blocks were pretty empty but the "Looney Bin" was occupied by a few Loonies. The "Double Nickel" was in it's home and a few of the Red Line Rodders were out. Just before 3:00 Ed, Evelyn and Michelle arrived in the '63 Corvair. Gary & Wanda came in just a little while after them. Ron was out in the DelRay, he followed Don out in the 2+2.

Tony was counting down the minutes to "Food", Linda said she would need a few extra minutes to walk up, allergy season has had a grip on her this year. We all rolled up the windows and Steve put the cover on the Hot Rod, this was rain insurance. Ed then left the top down on his Corvair. On our walk up to eat, this time we went to Burger King, what a mistake, we usually go up there when Michelle and some of the other Grandkids are in town. I have never had an order correct or have been charged correctly when dinning there. Oh, well I guess they do it because people must put up with it. Enough about that. Anyway, many of the other "Regulars" were in place by then. The line of cars to come in to "Town" was pretty short, 2 cars, the skies were growing darker and it must have been raining somewhere close by, we could feel it cooling down a bit on the walk back.

Shortly after getting back to the cars, Ron rolled in in his Corvair and Steve moved his Hot Rod to get him into the spot next to him. Tony & Marlene stopped by, then he saw an opening so he went up to block 1 where he was parked and brought "Cletus", their '30 Chevy Coupe, down and parked next to Gary's '55 Chevy. Then Snoopy brought in that English Double Decker, it was a year ago that thing first made it's debut here. Then all of a sudden the skies just cleared up, the stream of cars began steadily rolling in. Even block 4 started to fill up. Looks like the rest of the "Cruisers" were waiting for the weather to clear, Ron & Don mentioned that on their way out they drove threw a lot of standing water on the way through Saint Cloud. Ed & Sherry arrived and joined us along the seating area on block 4. The "Knitting Kruisers" were now in session as well.

Just before 7:00 four of us walked up to "Fred Marion's" Sports Grille to meet Fred and see the "Duke's" in their new Venue. Quite a crowd was already setting in chairs on the patio for their performance. This is a great setup for them, Fred was out setting up the Grill and Drinks outside. Tony & Marianne, Bobby G. and many others were right up front to hear them. On the way back Tony & Sharon led us down "Deac Hundley Blvd" for some window shopping on the West side this time. As we rounded the corner by the General Store we could see that the cars were now past the rollercoaster and around the corner. Coming up from the bottom of Block 4 we saw that Doug & Trish had just the G.T.O. out tonight. We ran into Steve, KG4JFK, and a youngster, Bobby that he is mentoring. Second week in a row for Steve coming out to look at the cars. By now the spectator crowd was getting very large, almost cheek to cheek, for a slow start tonight looked as though it was going to be a big Cruise. "Still Kickin" was on the main stage. It was turning out to be a beautiful night, with good friends and a lot of great cars.

Mr. Bill led the Cruiser of the month followed by the "Miss Lake County" pageant girls perched in convertibles. Then the "Charlotte Cruisers" club, that had a dozen or so cars on the bricks. On time at 8:30 Mike Singer gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem and the 840th* consecutive running of the spectacle that is the "Saturday Nite Cruise©" tonight with over 250 cars, made it's way on to the bricks of "Deac Hundley Blvd." to a large crowd of cheering spectators. Steve's Hot Rod also contained a VIP, young Bobby who's face must hurt from that big smile he had on it riding in that Model T.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I must now add my non solicited line. Thank You to Old Town, the merchants of Old Town, the sponsors of this weekly tradition and the "Cruise Staff" Richard, Joe, Ron, Mr. Bill, Miss Lisa, Lee and the whole gang in the spectator parking just to mention a few. For allowing us to be their guests and another Fun & Safe day in "Town".

Tonight's 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.

840/192/8
 

All content and Photography, unless otherwise noted
©1950-2006 Stephen Lynn Butler All rights reserved
powered by


Hosted at YUIOP Internet Services
Kissimmee, Florida USA