August 11th

Today, Linda & I would head for Old Town at our regular time in our '61 Corvair, "Elvira" or '60 Ranchero is in the need of some radiator repair, not in the budget right now, so she won't be out for a while. Mike & Kristen were out at Ed's picking up their '64 Corvair convertible and would be about 20 minutes behind us. Tony & Sharon would be running a little later so they would join us under the overhang later, after parking "Lucy" in her spot of honor. Gary C. was at the gate when we arrived. It was HOT! Well, we do live in Florida, it's Summer, OK so it was 98 degrees (only felt like 106) by 1:45, the Sun was shining bright in the sky. Bratt was down the Brick Avenue, just across from the "Haunted House", her usual registration area. We made our turn by the Clock and headed for "Trophy Row". "Big John" was in place with a '57 Chevy, Cris & Larry were in the "Looney Bin" with the 2 white Mustangs. I found out later that Cris sold her's already. Roger had the "Lucky "Vette", Bill had his '55 Chevy next to him. Gary & Kathy's Fairlane was in their favorite spot. We then crossed over "Florida Plaza" and parked behind "Black Market Minerals" as usual. Bill & Doris stopped by a few minutes later for a visit. Mike & Kristen would join us about 15 minutes after we had set up our chairs. Allan & Chris stopped by in the Golf Kart and parked in the shade for a short visit. Dennis would bring his '63 'Vette and park a few spaces down from us. Tony & Sharon brought their chairs along with an assortment of cooling fans to the overhang.  Rich would then park his Monte Carlo in the spectator parking and came to visit for a while. Ted, KE4TTE, fellow HAM and friend of the Cruise and future Cruiser, called on the Radio and mentioned that he was loading up his "Red Racer" and making his way to Old Town to join us for dinner.

I waited to deliver the newsletters until the walk to "Flippers", Tony, the "Timer", brought to our attention that is was in fact time to "Head Up". As we made our way up, Tony & Marianne were spotted setting behind their '71 Monte Carlo SS. John had his "Double Nickel Express" in his reserved spot. A few other "Red Line Rodders" were parked next to him. Karen & Family were in place across from the stage. Darrell's Ford was just North of the stage. Emil in his '48 Ford was parked next to Shane's '57 Chevy. Mike, Ken and Mark were at the top of block 1, across from where they like to park but they were in the shade behind the staircase. We arrived at "Flippers" just a few minutes early, Jane was back today so she would be our server. Alfresco was the choice. Well, Tony & Sharon brought their fans with them, so we wouldn't get yelled at by those in side, like last week. We took Ted's order over the radio and he sat at the table with us a few minutes later. "Big John", Jim, Mark R and several others were already inside. We had a great meal and good service as usual. While were were there Tony & Marianne went in as did the other regulars at 5:00. Mark in his T-Bucket, Joe & Harriet in their T-Bird and Gary & Wanda in their '55 Chevy were spotted as they made their way through the gate to park in Block 4.

On the way back to the cars we visited with many of the Cruisers that arrived while we were eating. The "Still Kickin'" was setting up on the main stage. Craig of "The Dukes" was visiting with Cruisers while waiting for Jim. They would be on the "Corner" tonight. "Bo" would park his '64 Corvair across from us and next to Bob in his '36 Ford "Humpback", they would bring their chairs to the overhang. Nick & Francine parked the '32 5 Window coupe next to "Bo". David Randett, would park his '55 GMC "Greyhound" bus, converted into a motor home in the early 70's,  at the "Bus Station" as Gary called it tonight because the "Double Decker" would park behind it. Roberta, the "Beer Lady" was doing a brisk business tonight. Lara would be riding in the '66 Nova, "T-Rex". Doc & Suzanne were in the "Tater Truck" parked down from them. I had a chat with Mike Kelly, he was out taking a few photos and visiting with many of the Cruisers. We agreed that Ralph Nader was a crook! He had to have been on VW's payroll.

The rest of the night was spent listening to the music a few trips up and down "Trophy Row" and lots of answers to the vary large crowd of spectators. We always look forward to a day with all of our friends. Old ones and ones we haven't even met yet.

Nikki  stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20. The "Cruiser of the Month", Tony & Sharon, in "Lucy" their '69 Ranchero would be led to block 4, that becomes the staging area at this time, by Bratt, Lee & Dave. Followed by the rest of the cars from the top 3 blocks. Chris, filling in for Mike Singer, that had been playing the usual mix of nostalgic music and jingles, got word that we were ready to Cruise, he then gave the safety announcements, played Kelly Leonard's "Live Version", recorded at Old Town a while back, version of the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the 894th running of this tradition. Osceola's finest would escort Tony & Sharon followed by the rest of the 167 cars , rolling up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting the very large crowd of spectators, there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from the sidewalks and boulevards.

Thank you Old Town for letting us, the curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, "Valvoline", the "A&W", "Tags With Class", "Wound and Around", & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to Allan, Joe, Gary, Lee, Bratt, Dave, Ron, Nikki, Miguel, Tommy along with the entire Cruise Staff and our fellow Cruisers for making this our 246th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one. Mike Singer, we miss you, get well soon.

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.

Richard  Kuehne 
  1939  Ford   

Donald James  Savor 
  1955  Chevrolet  Bel Air

Bob & Dar  Nagro*
  1936  Ford   

Steve  Erlacher 
  1965  Shelby  Cobra

David  Randett 
  1955  GMC  Bus

Miguel  Lopez 
  1968  Ford  Fairlane

Angel  Ramos 
  1963  Chevrolet  Biscayne

Robert  Faveau 
  1972  Chevrolet  Pick Up

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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