We took a little trip to the Citrus Tower in nearby Clermont for the 7th Annual Veterans Celebration Car show, sponsored by the Korean War Veterans of Lake County Chapter #188. This has also turned into an annual event for Linda and I. This year we brought along  9 other members of the "Florida Antique and Classic Automobile Cruisers Association" A.K.A. "Mustang Mike's Saint Cloud Thursday Nite Cruisers in caravan, we would also be meeting a half a dozen or more that would take another route.

It started out very early in the morning for Linda & me, once again I was reminded that there is a 7:30 in the AM. We were to meet several members at the K-Mart in Kissimmee for this ride to Clermont. The plan was to leave at 9:00 sharp. When we arrived at the K-Mart there were already 5 other cars waiting for us. Tony was marshalling the members and providing them with the necessary information for the day's event. There was a '27 Model T, yes it was the "Grinster", brought by Tony & Sharon, a '62 Ranchero with Steve & Cheryl in it, a '65 Corvair Greenbrier, piloted by "Mustang Mike", oh sorry, "Malibu Mike". Greg the "Poinciana Kid" and "Mindy" were in the Camaro, Gary & Wanda were in the '55 Blue Flamed, Black Chevy, "Remember When". We were in our '61 Corvair. Shortly after our arrival Mike & Gale rolled their '30 Ford Street Rod into the lot followed by Jamie & Aglae  in the Cobra. While we were waiting for others to meet the 9:00 departure time Greg was checking out the parking lot, finding such things as sockets, drill bits and electrical cover plates, well this started others to "Hunt" as well. Tony decided to give others a few minutes to show up, at 9:08 the hunt stopped and the cars started. This was quite a sight headed West on highway 192 towards Disney World. Our route took us to the very end or beginning of US 192 to Highway 27. During this part of the trip Tony, our leader, K4AVD, & Sharon, WB4ACE, Steve Mc, K4SKM, and I, K4SLB as well as Linda, K4EIO communicated via vhf simplex, as we are HAM radio operators and like to blend the two hobbies, keeping our group in check. The plan was to have Bill, N2WFU, & Virginia, W2VEJ, along with "Trevor" in their '29 Mercedes and Neil in his '62 Austin Healy merge with us just after our turning on to 27 North. We spotted them and they merged into the tail of our caravan and our little Corvair was still bringing up the tail. It was a nice ride through what used to be some of the most scenic country side Central Florida has to offer. The "Build up", even over the last year is staggering. This area is becoming the fastest growing "Bedroom community" for the Orlando Metropolitan area but that is another story. This caravan of 10 cars was admired by all that spotted it, it was quite colorful and it contained a good representation of "Rolling Automotive History".

We arrived at shortly after 10:00, there were more than 80 cars already displayed. Including the "Mustang Twins" in Paul's Convertible. Bobby "G" in his '54 Chevy, Carl & Carolyn in their Cobra to name a few were already parked in other areas. I also spotted "Roving Reporter", Dusty the DJ's latest ebay special, then later talked with him. This year the layout was very different. New Construction in the front area that used to be a large grassy area had changed the landscape drastically. However it was well organized for the days events. Jennifer was making sure that our 10 cars were parked together. It was nearly impossible to integrate our early or late arrivals so we didn't even suggest it. It was good to see old friends and others that we had met the year before. Butch was very busy in his "WJBJ, DJ Booth" taking requests and chatting with the Cruisers and spectators, Jennifer was parking cars. Many door prizes were drawn for as the day progressed. Mike, N4HHA and daughter, Kristen came out as spectators on his motorcycle and spent the day. It was a beautiful day for a father daughter thing, tie it in with old cars and HAM Radio, one couldn't ask for more. After all of the formal events and the great "Fly By" every one got into checking out all of the cars on display and listening to the nostalgic music provided by "The Dukes of Harmony" as well as Butch's great mix. It was a very patriotic day, many veterans that were in Post uniforms could be seen all around the event and admiring the nearly 200 cars that registered.

I could really go on but I will bring this story to a close. The "Special" and  "Top 20" awards were given out. Our little caravan of 10 went home with 3 of them. Mike & Gale's '30 Ford Street Rod, Steve & Cheryl's '62 Falcon Ranchero, with very patriotic graphics I might add, as well as their '27 "Real Steel" Model T "Grinster" that Tony & Sharon drove up for them. It was a great day full of Cars, Friendship and the American way. Let's bring even more next year to this show.

Here are the photos. Click here for more photos taken by Mike Burke.

See you all "Out There"

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