June 2nd

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Visitors

The Saturday Nite Cruise®
Established in 1990
Rain or Shine, 52 Weeks a year!
Old Town Shopping Attraction.
5770 West 192
Kissimmee, Florida

June 2nd

Tropical storm Barry wouldn't stop our resolve or that of a few hundred Cruisers to make their way to Old Town, on this the 17th Anniversary of the "Saturday Nite Cruise©". I had forgotten that 5:00 came this early, being a night owl, it is usually the time I am just getting into REM. The plan was to meet at the K-Mart on Vine street with several other F.A.C.A.C.A members, our, "Regulars" and make our way for a 7:00 AM arrival. As luck would have it the rain fell all night long. It was still raining at 6:00 when I started to load the car. We hadn't heard form Tony, K4AVD, or Ted, KE4TTE, by this time but I had been on the radio with Mike, N4HHA, he and Kristen were on their way to K-Mart as scheduled. It was raining again. The weatherman had been promising a 100% chance of rain for today over the last several days. Tony & Sharon arrived, no sign of Ted. He was going to drive one of Tony & Sharon's Cruisers out and spend the day with us. We are still not sure what happened, maybe he over slept as a couple of others had. Gary & Wanda stayed overnight at a Motel next to Old Town so their car had been in line since Friday afternoon.

We pulled into a staging spot on Florida Plaza just after 7:00AM about 30 yards from where we like to park in Block 4. Now it was time to wait for the gate opening at 9:00. We were some of the first to arrive this morning. About 100 or so cars were in line in front of us but we figured that we should be lined up for our favorite spots. The previous "Cruisers of the Month" we being parked on the "Bricks" at 8:30. Louie Z was marshalling that task. During this 2 hour wait the rain came and went. Mark, in his T-Bucket, well it was in his trailer in line, decided to just take it back to the Motel and see if the rain would let up. There were many cars in line that only come to the "Saturday Nite Cruise©" for this annual event. This always leads to a bit of chaos as they never seem to learn the rules of the day before attending. There would be a lot of them cutting into the line or staking out and saving spots to park in. The Staff had eyes and ears everywhere to circumvent these actions. We calculated our arrival time so that we might achieve our ultimate parking area. We also have chosen an area that is not as popular as the top 3 blocks and have managed to maintain our presence there for a few years on a weekly basis. The spectators and fellow Cruisers know right where to find us when they come out to participate in this event.

9:00AM, the cars started to roll towards the Gate, a photo was taken by the folks from the "Old Town Portrait Gallery" that could be purchased later at the store. Several cars that were just arriving would try to cut in line and a few that filled vacated spots in the line would be sent to the back of the line by Joe R, good job! Then onto the gate, Lee was there greeting us all with a copy of "Mike Kelly's Cruise News" that had a few specials and flyers of the days festivities. Then we were sent down both sides of the bricks to be registered, Nikki was in the left side, Bratt and Kathy were on the other side in "Poodle Skirts", Frank was in front of the Cruise Office handing out the collector plates. By the time we got to the turn where Dave was directing the cars to parking areas, the top 3 blocks were filling up and we were sent towards our destination. It was just about 9:20 when the 200 plus cars were all settled into the parking areas along "Trophy Row". A job well done by the staff. Gary & Wanda would join us from block 1, in "Remember When" their '55 Chevy once the cars were all parked.

It was time for some breakfast. The rain fell again. The arrival of more cars was thwarted by the dark clouds and rain that would fall over the next hour or so. We all took a walk to the top, today the parking area behind the amusements in front of Old Town was utilized as well. We delivered many newsletters and chatted with regulars and admired the cars that come out a few times a year or for this event only. There were many. The "Galaxieland Ford Galaxie Club of America" had a spot behind the A&W and was expecting nearly 100 members to show today. We also discovered that the "Old Town Chippy" was now open in block 1. We stopped and Linda sampled some of their bill of fare. I know we will be stopping by for some food in the future.

Jennifer of WJBJ Cruising with the Classics was on the streets interviewing some cruisers for an upcoming DVD that was in production by C The TV. Always good to see her or Butch out with us on a Saturday.

We all love to see the extra variety of cars and people that come out for this annual, however I would like to stress Old Town has established rules that make this event work well every week, occasional visitors need to make themselves aware of them when coming out. Many of them seem to play by their own. I didn't let this spoil the day. Allan was at the controls of "Old Town Radio" by now, he too always plays a great mix of music for all to enjoy. "Viva" was scheduled to come to the stage for 2 sets today. "The Dukes" would be on the corner at 5:00.

As usual the day was spent talking with the many spectators that were coming out, the other Cruisers that we haven't seen in a while along with all of the Regulars that come out every Saturday, Rain or Shine. Once Barry, the Tropical Storm had passed our area, leaving several inches of much needed rain over Florida, with not a lot at Old Town I might add. The Sun came out and the day was turning beautiful. We received many calls from Cruisers that hadn't made it out yet. We talked them all into heading out. The rest of the day we had a steady stream of cars making their way to "Trophy Row". A few dark clouds passed overhead mixing with the sunshine but other than a few sprinkles the rain was pretty much gone by Noon. Graham, G4HFG, the amateur radio operator that is on my shoulder every week, was getting the "color" of what was going on via the radio to Oldham England as he does every week.

We did make a trip to "Flippers" to drop off a newsletter to Jane and to tell her that we had brought so many snacks with us that we wouldn't be dinning out tonight. Later Mike & Annette would go up and have a Pizza. Several other of our regulars would arrive through out the day, Bob & Nick and his grandkids in the Chevelle. Fran & Fanny would come out in the daily driver. Tony & Marlene would park "Cletus" their '30 Chevy, sorting some interior work that they had been doing, in our auxiliary spot. Dan & Liz in the '41 Willys coupe, Jeff in his Edsel and Kevin in that '59 T-Bird would also come to block 4. Bob in the '36 Ford Humpback would join "Bo" behind the roller coaster as would "Big Jim" in his Chevelle.

Just way too many cars and people to give details on, the Anniversary Cruise is always a very fun and busy event. Join us next year. I was going to rant here, on the regular Cruisers that know how things work at Old Town that continue to push the envelope setting bad examples for visiting or occasional Cruisers but it would be ugly. You know who you are and so does the Cruise Staff. Lets keep this event a fun and safe one.

Nikki brought the "Flag Winners" list to us just after 8:15. Bratt & Lee would lead the "Cruiser of the Month" to block 4, that becomes the "Staging area" at this time, followed by many VIPs and the former "Cruisers of the Month" followed by the rest of the cruisers from the top blocks, then onto "Kids Town" for the pause for Mike Singer, who had been playing his great mix of nostalgic music all evening, to give the safety announcements and play the National Anthem. "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise". The first of the 430 cars would start rolling down the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue" for this, the 884th running of this Central Florida tradition as well as the 17th Anniversary edition, to a crowd of cheering spectators.

Tonight we all would head back to the stage for part 2 of the evening, Many of the sponsors would thank us all for bringing out the "Stars" that are our cars. The 3 trained Monkey's as Allan would include himself in, would take our applause for another year at Old Town, Rich's first full year as "Cruise Director" a job well done. Many extra prizes were given out. The Flag Winners, there should have been 17, only 10 were found, 7 must have snuck out with out dropping their registration number off to staff (another rule missed here). They lost out and cost 7 others their chance to take home the coveted "Old Town Flag". Rich presented me with my "Cruiser of the Month" jacket, Linda really likes it, she can get many layers under it this winter. Maybe I will get to wear it once and a while.

I know tonight was Old Town's time to thank us but I have to thank them for letting us be their guests, putting up with me and Linda for 236 consecutive Saturdays. We hope to double that at least. To thank all of the sponsors, merchants association and of course the "Cruise Staff" for keeping the thousands of people safe every week. One day I will list all of the Staff in a report, many of them go unmentioned. They deserve a mention once and a while. I must also thank all of the "Regulars" that have become our extended family here at Old Town. Thank you to the loyal readers who help keep this publication alive. It was a Fun and Safe one once again!

Next Friday night is the 9th Anniversary for "The Friday Nite Cruise". Come on out! This is for the '73 and newer cars.

Sorry I didn't get this all up last night, I was really beat. I did have the Flag winners posted by midnight, as promised.

For the 5th year in a row, "Big John" was first on the "Bricks", he also donated many prizes for the drawings. Thank you for all of your support to the Cruise and this newsletter.

Where in the World is Ted? Hope he is O.K.

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.

Congratulations to the Checkered Flag Winners!