With "Eckler’s Classic Chevy International" and the "World Wide Camaro!"
Hosted by "Classic Camaro of Central Florida" both "In Town" since
Wednesday. With several hundred of these cars around Linda and I thought
we would come a little later than normal, last week, the "Cruise Staff"
were told, and passed it on to the "Regulars", that most of the Saturday
Activities" would be over by 3 or 4PM. We left the Orange County
Fairgrounds where we were attending our second day at the annual
Hamcation, a
convention for Amateur Radio operators, presented by the
Orlando Amateur Radio
Club. This is the second largest event of it's kind in the US. With
the large attendance and the heavy traffic that is generated by this
event at the Orange County Fairgrounds some 20 or so miles to the North
we had figured at least an hour and a half drive time to Old Town, on
this our 220th Saturday night in a row. This wasn't the case. We arrived
about 2pm, at the gates where Lee greeted us, Ron was off for the
afternoon . We then found out as we were registered by Bratt that it
looked like the 2 shows that were going on were not going to be out of
the way and we would be parked behind the A&W. The West parking lot of
Block 4 was already full of "Regulars". This would mean that all of the
regulars would be displaced. There were lots of Chevys, more Chevys,
vendors, displays and tents along "Trophy Row". This annual event has
grown to be very large and the turn out was a little unexpected. Bill &
Doris were waiting for us, with their Friday report. I saw this white
Mustang, oh wait, it was Larry's '66, sporting "Bow Ties" in the grill
and on the trunk. Seems like Bob, another "Loon" retaliated from having
the "Mustang Tapestry" displayed on his GMC last week. No harm done,
they were temporary and re appearing, how many did he have?
Shortly after we parked I thought I heard a T-Rex coming down the bricks
to make the turn on to Florida Plaza to make it's way behind the A&W. It
wasn't, it was just this "Fired Out" Blown, '66 SS Nova, maybe I should
have said SSSS Nova, piloted by semi regular, Mark Dupree all of the way
from Parrish Florida, he parked one spot over from us. If the car goes
down the road like it sounds, and I am sure it does, it wouldn't be easy
to catch. A little later The Brothers Zibrin would join us, then John B
in his '66 Vette. John was very disappointed as were many of the
Cruisers, that all of the "Regulars" were once again "Displaced". Many
"Regulars" know that when there is a big show, they just don't come out.
This always causes a bit of controversy and the Cruise Staff always
takes the brunt of the complaints but then again we must all remember we
are "Guests" here at Old Town and sometimes there are large shows that
want to come to Old Town because of it's proximity to other attractions
and it's reputation as being the place to be with a Car Club. However
the plan to have the visiting "Car Shows" occupy the parking lot to the
West of "Deac Hundley Blvd.", from the North by "Flippers" down to block
4, from now on, with the exception of the "Vette Fest", that needs to be
started in Block 4 of "Trophy Row" because it needs the field for it's
"Swap Area", should show the Cruisers that Old Town appreciates the
every week "Regulars" and are trying to accommodate all of those that
support this Cruise and hopefully minimize the ill will that some feel.
Even with the jumble we still managed to get our newsletters and "Dash
Cards" delivered. Larry, WA3PGL, and Linda, KA3BRP, friends of ours that
we spent the morning with at the convention, stopped out to look at the
cars and join us at "Flippers" for our 4:00 dinner. We dined alfresco,
Jane once again took great care of us. I know it sounds like an
advertisement for them, it isn't, more like a testimonial. We always
enjoy the staff and the variety of food. As we left "Flippers" the line
of cars continued to come in. Some of the "Regulars" managed to get to
their spots of choice as some of the pre '72 participants of the earlier
events pulled out. I'm so confused by now, imagine how the "Cruise
Staff" was. I thought they were over there not over here! Oh well. The
"Cruise Staff" sure had their hands full. A huge crowd and a total of
nearly 600 cars. WOW, that is a lot of work. They did keep us all safe,
Cruisers and spectators alike.
Tonight we went up to the Cruise office and picked up the "Flag Winners"
from Nikki, we wanted to save her the extra steps tonight. Even when the
Staff had to pull Cruisers from both sides of the Cruise route,
everything was set to roll. Mike Singer gave the safety announcements,
played the National Anthem and "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the
Saturday Nite Cruise" on time at 8:32. Nearly 350 cars, led by Dennis &
Cindy Manire, February's "Sweethearts, Cruiser of the Month" in their
'63 & '67
"Vettes, would WOW the very large crowd that lined the
sidewalks of "Deac Hundley Blvd." on this the 868th running of the
"Saturday Nite Cruise
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