September 15th

Today was the second half of Old Town's "Cruiser Appreciation Weekend", lots of things planned for all that attend. Our little caravan that meets at the "Top of the Hill"  is getting a bit smaller. Tony & Sharon will be putting "Lucy" their '69 Ranchero in back of a 53 foot trailer for her trip up North. They will be following in the '77 Starfire early in the morning. They will be missed. Hopefully Tony will be coming to the Cruise via the HAM radio in weeks to come. We all will miss you guys! Anyway it was just the 2 Corvairs today. Steve Mc is still out of town working. We could use a few more "Regulars" to caravan with us. We meet 1:15 to 1:30 near the intersection of Thacker and Carroll streets in Kissimmee.

Gary was at the Gate when we arrived just before 2:00. We followed Tony & Marianne in their "Black Beauty", '71 Monte Carlo and Emil in his '48 Ford. Bratt was at the registration area in her Poodle Skirt. We were given an orange ticket for a free spin on a prize wheel. Allan met us with a "Scratch Off". Looked like they were all set up to give us Lemonade and Cookies under the carport. Free Hot Dogs were to be given out behind the General Store. Winston & Roberta would be serving us. We spotted "Big John's" latest Camaro on the corner. As we made our way to Block 4, we spotted Dan Z, in the "Grinster", "Big Jim" in his '57 Chevy, Ron in his '37 Ford Coupe and Jeff in his Edsel already parked at the Beer Tent. There was a 50% chance of rain for the day. It just seemed hotter than normal, I think it was the humidity. The flow of cars was a little slow at first. Linda and I went up to find the "Regulars" and deliver the newsletters. We did find Bob in his '41 Buick. John in his Nova wagon. Darrell in his '66 Ford and a few others on the early round.

We did manage to set a while and visit with the early spectators and other Cruisers that arrived before it was time to head out to dinner. It was a good thing that Mike was paying attention to the time. With out "Tony The Timer" reminding us it was time to go eat. So we headed up to "Flippers" for our meal. It sure was funny to just have the four of us. Even Ted, KE4TTE, wasn't going to meet us tonight. Busy fighting the "Heat Monster". However, Graham, G4HFG, from Manchester England checked in early over the radio to say hello to Jane. Flippers even had a great special for the "Cruisers" today. We all partook of it and our service was great as usual. On our way back to the cars we spotted many more of the regulars that made their way in. Stopped to talk with Richard at the Mike Kelly's booth, talked with Becky and Doug along with all that we passed by. Mark rolled his T-Bucket in and parked down by us. By 6:00 the spectator crowd was building. The Cruisers were rolling in at a steady pace. The "Hot Dog" stand and Beer tent was doing a grand business. Nick & Francine arrived in the 3 Window Coupe. Joe & Harriett in the T-Bird, Doug & Trish in their GM's. It was just one of those great nights with lots of old friends and new ones we just made. Shane spent quite a bit of the time down talking with us. He did have some real interest in HAM radio and it was also Amateur Radio Awareness Day so I did my part in spreading the word. John, KG4BFJ, and his daughter came out to spend some time at the Cruise-In. Chris, KE4DUJ and Michelle. KE4DQH also stopped out for a bit. From that point on the night flew by.

Nikki & Micha stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20. Ken & Charlene Paparella in their '68 Camaro RS, 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. Allan made his way to the "Blue Room", to announce the "Cruise", got word that we were ready to Cruise, he then gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the 899th running of this tradition. Osceola's Counties finest would escort the '68 Camaro followed by the rest of the 215 cars, rolling up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting, what turned out to be a very large crowd of spectators, "Rain or Shine" every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from the sidewalks and boulevards.

We came back for "Part 2" tonight, along with almost all of the Cruisers that came out today, lots of extra prizes were in the offering. 4 tires donated by Ocean Street Storage and Restoration. Several Winn-Dixie gift cards, up to $50 along with Lots of cash!. Allan was giving his high energy presentations with Joe on stage. We were all beat, the day was a cooker but the show went on! There were several "Lucky Cruisers" that went home with the prizes. I wasn't one of them. I appreciate Old Town appreciating us, the Cruisers, in the way they do. That is what keeps us coming back each and every week.

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.

Ed  Lester 
  1972  Chevrolet  Pick Up

Jerry  Purchell 
  1966  Plymouth   

Rafeal  Rujas 
  1954  Chevrolet  Bel Air

Juan  Romos 
  1965  Chevrolet  Impala

Rod  Benefield 
  1933  Ford  Victoria

Marco  Resto 
  1969  Chevrolet  Grand Prix

Jermey  Granger 
  1967  Chevrolet  Camaro

Angel  Mercado 
  1961  Rambler  Metropolitan

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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