October 6th

It was a WET day, off and on. In fact Linda & I left the house to head out to Old Town on our own today, in the rain. I know I started last weeks story off just like this, well it was just the same. Anyway today was "Old Town's, 2nd Annual Vette Fest". We followed Emil who pulled off 192 as we came to the stop sign on the frontage road. He led us to entrance. Lee greeted us at the gate with his usual smile. Bratt was at her "Registration" post. We made the turn by the clock just before 2:00 we spotted Roger and his Corvette at their place of honor, James had his Firebird parked next to him. "Big John" had a '71 Camaro in his favorite parking spot. Joe and Harriet were already parked in Block 3 but there were not very many regulars in place yet. We made our way to Block 4, to our favorite spots behind "Black Market Minerals", Allan, not wanting to displace any "Regulars" had a few spots coned off for us. Thank You. We were expecting Steve Mc and a few others to join us before 4:00. After we got situated we chatted a bit with Gary C, who was watching over the "Vette Fest". Linda and I took a walk into the "Field of Dreams", well that is what I call a parking lot with more than 200 Corvettes in it. Then we made our way up to the rest of "Trophy Row" to drop off newsletters. John was in place in his "Double Nickel Express". Ken & Charlene were already in place near the top of Block 1, I had spotted Mike & Mark coming into Old Town on our way up. We stayed and chatted until they parked, Emil & Shane were at the top of Block 1 just where they like it. We visited with more of the regulars that were in place by now and when we made it back to Block 4 Bill & Doris had been by, I knew they would be back, they left their chairs. They did stop by about the time Steve arrived in the Willys.

Linda & I headed for dinner a little earlier than normal, we wanted to get across "Deac Hundley Ave" before the 4:00 'Vette Cruise. Allan was on stage with the closing ceremonies for the day long show that was winding up. Even though it had been sprinkling off and on we decided to dine alfresco once again. After we ordered it was time for the 'Vette Cruise. Dave Dean arrived just in time to block the Gate while they made it out of Old Town. 69 of those "Great American Sports Cars" made that journey today. Mike Singer was even at the Controls of Old Town Radio, sure was good to hear him. Jane took great care of us as usual. Before we left Joe & Kay came to eat as did Ron and Rene and a few of the other regular "Early Crowd". On our way back down to the car as we roundel the corner on Block 1 Charley was setting with Emil and a few more of the "Die Hards" had arrived. Topaz was getting ready to play on the main stage. I made my way up to the "Blue Room" and had a nice chat with Mike Singer. He was having a good day and was happy to be at the controls. Keep on the mend my friend.

By now Mark had his T-Bucket next to the Willys, Bob had the '36 Ford "Humpback" across form us and "Bo" was in his Corvair. The English Bus was also parked across from us but disappeared during the next sprinkle. Don had his '69 Camaro next to Don & Tara's Corvette, Nick & Fran rolled the 5 Window coupe in and parked just up from them. By now "Trophy Row" was filling up. Graham, G4HFG, from Manchester, England checked in over the radio,  for his weekly report. Doug & Trish managed a spot next to the Cruise News office for their GM's, Tom's Vette was a little farther up Block 2. Craig & Jim, "The Dukes" were visiting with the Cruisers before they would set up on the corner. We did have  a few more bouts with rain. Mark put the T-Bucket in it's box, almost twice. He did Cruise when it was time to hit the "Bricks". I think one of the very last cars to make it to "Trophy Row" was Rodger in his black Austin Healy.

Nikki stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20. October, "Cruiser of the Month", Roger Poff in his '71 Corvette, would be led to Block 4, that becomes the staging area at this time, by Bratt, Lee & Dave. Followed by the family of Austin Taylor Smith in the next 2 cars, an 11 year old that was killed in an unfortunate accident this last week, He just loved Old Town, he lived nearby and spent a lot of time with us. Tonight's Cruise was dedicated to him. Then the rest of the cars from the top 3 blocks. Mike Singer who had been playing his mix of Nostalgic music and radio spots, 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 902nd running of this tradition. Osceola Counties finest would escort the '71 Corvette followed by the rest of the 160 cars, rolling up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting, what turned out to be a large crowd of spectators, despite the rain and "No Wake Zones", "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.

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.

Robert  Kubicko 
  1963  Chevrolet  Corvair

Mike  Colletle 
  1961  Chevrolet  Corvette

Dennis  Bender 
  1964  Chevrolet  Corvette

Darrell  Johnson**
  1971  Chevrolet  Chevelle

Eric  Aylies 
  1969  Chevrolet  Camaro

Ron  Arrowsmith 
  1966  Chevrolet  Corvette

Luz  Salaman 
  1957  Chevrolet  Bel Air

Don  Wilde(1)
  1969  Chevrolet  Camaro

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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