The second summer Cruise Night at Main Street Pavilion was a success, according to Main Street Chanute organizers.
“It’s been a great turnout,” Main Street Chanute Board member Cherryl Olson said.
Car enthusiasts drove down Main Street in vintage vehicles, the vision recalling a memory for many.
“When I was in high school, dragging down Main Street was the fun thing to do,” Main Street Chanute Executive Director Ruthann Boatwright said. “So we are trying to bring that back.”
Main Street began hosting Cruise Nights during the summer months three years ago, she said. Over the years, the monthly events in June, July, and August have become more popular.
Attendees can chat about cars in the parking lot and listen to live music.
This month, a rock band from Dodge City called Vegan Shark performed under the Main Street Pavilion.
“I think car culture is big everywhere,” City Commissioner Tim Egner said. “I think it is a nostalgic thing that everyone loves.”
Egner said his favorite classic car is a 1972 or ’74 Plymouth Barracuda.
“It’s about the camaraderie, the people waving, and everybody getting together,” Egner said.
Others enjoy seeing the work that has gone into restoring or maintaining the vehicles, like Gary Schmidtberger, who was in town to visit his son.
“I have cars myself,” Schmidtberger said. “I like to see what others have done with their cars, and get some ideas.”
Schmidtberger said he was primarily a “Ford guy” but said he enjoyed all types of cars.
Jerry Hughes, a local car enthusiast said driving the cars is what he enjoys about having classic cars.
“I like to cruise,” Hughes said. “I just love the older cars. They had style then. Now, you can’t hardly tell them apart.”
Hughes drove his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, but said he owns several classic cars including a 1938 Pontiac Coupe he has owned since he was 19.
“We need more of them,” Hughes said about Cruise Night.
The next Cruise Night will be Saturday, August 16, from 7-9 p.m. at Main Street Pavillion. To learn more about Main Street Chanute visit https:// www. facebook. com/ Main-StreetChanute.
