June 16th

What a beautiful day for a "Hot Summer Night" at Old Town, to join in on this 17 year plus, tradition, that is the World's Largest Weekly Cruise, that we are fortunate to participate in every week, located here in Kissimmee. The Brick streets of Old Town is the setting. We enjoy it so much that Linda & I have made the day of it for the last 238 consecutive Saturdays. There are even a few "New" Cruisers that we have influenced to Cruise with us that haven't missed a Saturday since they have purchased their cars. In fact, Mike N4HHA, was still working on putting a new muffler on his '64 Monza 900 convertible when it was time for our little caravan to head out at 1:30, his plan was to make tonight his 14th consecutive Cruise. So it was just the two Corvair Coupes headed out 192. Tony, K4AVD, and Sharon, WB4ACE, were in the lead in "Sunny", a '62 Corvair, Linda, K4EIO and me, K4SLB were following in our '61 Coupe.

Gary C. was at the gate when we arrived, Bratt was in her Poodle Skirt at the registration area. Oh, Happy Birthday, Bratt. As we made our turn at the clock "Big John's" GT350 was spotted in his favorite spot. Bob's green GMC pick up was just around the corner to the North. Block 3 was a little bare, Bill's Plymouth was under the overhang near Florida Plaza, as was Roger and Sue's Camaro. Gary & Kathy's Fairlane was in it's favorite spot. The new fence that had been installed on the West side now had the privacy fabric on it. This should be a good dust and debris barrier from the new Go-Kart track next door. We then made our way across the Plaza and parked in our favorite place behind Black Market Minerals. Tony & Sharon stopped off for some fuel on the way, so they arrived just a few minutes after we did. Rich & Joe stopped by to pickup the newsletter and chat for a bit. I was told that I should meet Traci, the new Promotions manager for Old Town. She will be a "Roving Reporter", in her Poodle Skirt, for Allan, who will be at the controls tonight, for the vacationing Mike Singer. I heard that she did a great job last night. Bill & Doris stopped for a chat before it was time for us to head to dinner. Graham, G4HFG, from Manchester U.K., checked in on the radio. He was ready for some "Color" on tonight's event. Ted, KE4TTE, was busy working today so he wouldn't be joining us. 3:30 we headed for "Flippers", Linda and I hadn't ventured out to make the newsletter deliveries earlier so we would drop them off on the way up. Still nothing from Mike, so maybe he wouldn't make it out tonight. We stopped and visited with many of the regulars, the top 3 blocks were still pretty empty. It more than likely had to do with the fact that the weathermen had been promising an 80% chance of rain all week long for today. Well it turned out, thanks to a little wind shear the big tropical low pressure storm was now headed to the East rather than the North. The day was great a nice breeze and it was in the mid 80's.

We arrived at "Flippers" just about 4:00, Jane came out to take our orders and just about then we spotted Mike walking up to join us, he did make it! While we were dining, alfresco as usual, Ron & Rene joined us on the patio. Dave & Daryl went into the dining area and many others made their way to one of the Cruisers favorite places to eat. Nick was also serving on the patio and talking cars with the Cruisers, he just bought a 60's Ford pickup and Tony gave him a few hints on where to find parts. Jane took great care of us, Linda took a little time to "Interview" her for an article for this weeks newsletter, the first in a series, "Old Town's "residents", the people that make us feel at home". Linda just had to stop off at the "Old Town Chippy" to try some "Potato Scallops", this is a delicacy that she had always enjoyed in the Fish & Chip shops back in the UK. Mike waited with her, he wanted to try the Scallops right away. I headed out to catch a few Cruisers that had come in while we were eating.

I stopped by to see Emil in his "Fat Fendered Ford", Shane was parked next to him in his '57 Chevy in block 1, Then I  made my way to where the "Red Line Rodders" were set up, in block 2. Roger, John, Don and of course Bob & Marge were there in the '41 Buick. Larry & Cris were out in the Mercury convertible. Jim had a newspaper article about the Saturday Nite Cruise®" that featured his Challenger framed and proudly displayed under his hood. I also spotted Jennifer Johnston, talking with Louie Z, she had time tonight to come out and also be a "Roving Reporter" for Allan that was already playing his special mix of Music and taking requests over the "Hot Line" to the "Blue Room". "Eddie and the Cruzers" were setting up on the main stage and now the cars were really starting to roll in. I made my way to block 4, Jeff had arrived in his Edsel, Dan & Liz with a couple of grandkids were out in his '63 Corvair. Bob was across from us in his '36 Ford, "Bo" in his '64 Corvair and John in his Mustang convertible, sort of a three stooges re-union. We should see them together for a few months now. "The Dukes" were in place early tonight, I spotted Traci interviewing them. I really never caught up with her the rest of the night, Even when she came back down to the big crowd that had amassed to enjoy what they Doo so well, I was headed up to visit with John B that was parked up by Dave's Studebaker wrecker.

There is just so much going on any given Saturday here at Old Town, if you have qualifying car join in, it is free to register. If you enjoy looking at the cars or love a parade come on out.

Nikki & Micha, in their new Poodle Skirts, provided by long time sponsor, "Wound and Around" stopped by with the "Flag Winners" and the "Cruiser of the Month", Tony & Donna Fisher in their '68 Mustang were being led to block 4, that becomes the staging area at this time, by Rich & Bratt. Followed by the rest of the cars from the top 3 blocks. Allan, who had been taking requests and playing his mix of music from what he likes to call the "Blue Room", got word that we were ready to Cruise so he gave the safety announcements, played a special rendition of a "recorded live at Old Town" version of the National Anthem. Right on time, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise!", for this the 886th running of this tradition, the cars then hit the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting the large crowd of spectators. There would be a total of 200 cars rolling by them on this Hot Summer Night. Traci would introduce the "Cruiser of the Month" and Jennifer would announce the "Flag Winners".

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 Valvoline and a drink from the Tropical Breeze.

Bob  Burke 
  1972  GMC  Pick Up

Anthony  Denighi 
  1940  Ford   

Jim  Chubb 
  1972  Dodge  Challenger

George  Ponachi 
  1956  Oldsmobile   

Mark  Inwood 
  1956  Chevrolet  Bel Air

Rodney  Buckingham 
  1968  Oldsmobile   

Mark  Sleight 
  1936  Chevrolet  Master

Padro  Vargas 
  1971  Volkswagen  Beetle

On to the Photos... after this.

 Here are the Photos.
Click on any photo for a larger view.

Click on any photo for a larger view.

 See you all "Out there"

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