We arrived at Old Town about 1:45 with Tony & Sharon following in
"Lucy", Ron was at the gate. The Wide Track Warriors were in town with
hundreds of Pontiacs. We were informed that we would be parked behind
"Kids Town" by Bratt as she signed us in. Old Town is now running near
the end of the contracts that were made for such "Special Events" to be
held on "Trophy Row", it would be just about 3:30 when the "Regulars"
would be moved up to their spots. We were in the 3rd row of "Early
Birds" in the back lot. It made the delivery of newsletters pretty easy
as most of the Regulars were in the "Sardine Can" with us. Gary & Kathy
were in charge of getting every one out as they came in. They did a
great job informing all that arrived about the situation, 3:30 rolled
around and Rich & Gary started to move us up to "Trophy Row", Kathy had
recruited Linda & Sharon to help out in the transition. It went quite
smoothly, a few who should have known better tried to "Break Line" but
most that did, were pulled out of line and made to wait. Good Job guys!
Hopefully with Old Town's new plans on having the "Special Events" like
this in the "West Parking Lots" will stop a lot of this extra work and
confusion.
We were a little late on making our way to "Flippers", Tony, "the timer"
was very hungry and could hardly make his way. Tonight Gary & Wanda
would join us. Bill & Doris stopped me on the way to see if I had
received the e-mail with last nights report, which I had, and to give me
a few orders for Friday Nite dash cards. Just after we ordered our food
from Jane, our "Official Hostess", Mike N4HHA, made a surprise stop in
and joined us as well. The food and service was excellent as usual,
Thank You, Jane. The gates didn't close as usual at 4:00 with the chaos
of all of the cars coming and going it just didn't make sense. I sure
hope the staff got a break.
On our way back to block 4, we visited with many of the regulars that
had made their way onto "Trophy Row". I stopped in to chat with Mike
Singer for a bit, thanked him for the Music mix he plays so well, each
and every week. We both commented on how nice it was, as well as how
many positive comments we had both heard about "The
Dukes" back on "Deac Hundley Blvd." when they can make it out. They
set up a little early and drew enormous crowds of listeners this evening
as well.
The Budweiser Clydesdales were due to arrive to an area across from us
on Block 4 just about 6:00. They were to lead the Cruise tonight. Many
of the "Widetrack Warriors" were old enough to stay for the 870th
running of this event a little later. Marion & Kay in their two tone
Blue '58 Pontiac Starchief was sort of the filling in a Ranchero cookie
as they were parked between "Lucy" and "Elvira". I was in the spot
usually taken up by Steve Mc but he was fetching Neil & Elaine from the
airport, so we shall see them out next week. Dan Z came to Old Town in
his '41 Willys pickup for the first time tonight. many of the "Regulars"
were a little displaced during the shuffle with a lot of Pontiacs from
out of town, it was a great night for all of the spectators and Cruisers
to mingle and get a chance to see the Clydesdales that ended up in a few
different places for "Photo Ops" instead of leading the Cruise with the
streets bulging with people.
The rest of the evening was a bit of a blur with activity, it was spent
visiting with many old friends and new ones made, well, tonight. Even
with such a large crowd the "Cruise Staff" got everything started right
on time. Just after 8:00, Nikki, who said having last Saturday Night off
was the best present, brought us the "Flag Winners" list. The "Cruising
Couple", Dennis and Cindy in their Corvettes would lead their last
Cruise as "Cruiser of the Month", to block 4 that becomes the staging
area for this Old Town Tradition. Mike Singer would then give the safety
announcements, play the National Anthem and "Wolfman Jack" would
proclaim, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise". The 334 cars that remained
would make their way on to the bricks of "Deac Hundley Blvd." to, what
seemed to me, a record crowd of spectators. Even with this our 222nd
time in a row, it never gets old to see the faces in the crowd enjoy
these rolling exhibits of automotive history.
THANK YOU! Old Town, the merchants association, the sponsors, the
spectators, fellow cruisers and especially the Cruise Staff for making
our day in "Town" another memorable one.
On to the Flag Winners!
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