Eastwind Electric Trio, Odd Fellows Boutique part of Cruise Nite fun
May 04, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
There will be plenty to enjoy at Friday’s Cruise Nite from live musical entertainment by the Eastwind Electric Trio to a boutique upstairs at the historic Odd Fellows Lodge and Clock Tower.
And, of course, there will be hundreds of pre-1975 cars on display, fun and fine restaurants for dinner, snacks and drinks as well as unique shops to visit all in historic Downtown Santa Paula!
Cruise Nite, the oldest car show in Ventura County, starts at about 5 p.m. and display cars usually leave at dusk.
There are cars parked along East Main Street — closed from 10th to 7th streets — and on some side streets where individuals, car clubs, friends and neighbors park their sweet rides for others to enjoy.
Cruise Nite T-shirts are available for sale in the intersection of Davis and Main, right across from the Les Maland Plaza where the band will be set up at the foot of the Odd Fellows Lodge building.
Eastwind Electric Trio features Jim Stephenson on bass and vocals, Brian Hernandez on drums and Paul Skeels — Santa Paula’s former and first full-time Fire Chief — on guitar and vocals. The Trio has been playing together for 20 years and, among other long-term projects, is the back up band for acclaimed singer Angela Skeels.
For the upcoming Cruise Nite the Trio will be playing many of their favorite songs from the 60’s and 70’s, from Neil Diamond and the Byrds to Elvis Costello.
Shoppers will be able to visit the historic Odd Fellows Lodge where on the second floor from 5 to 8 p.m. will be Cruise Nite Boutique featuring several displays of jewelry, Roberta’s Famed Banana Bread, “Steam punk” lights, collectibles and much-much more. Visitors will also be able to tour the famous Lodge.
There will also be a limited edition of Wendell Dowling Clock Tower prints, signed and numbered by the late artist who also created the Cruise Nite T-shirt designs for 17 years. Sales benefit the building fund of the historic Odd Fellows Lodge-Clock Tower.
The 18th Cruise Nite season opened in April and will run through October on the First Friday of each month. Sponsored by the Santa Paula Police Officers Association and the Chamber of Commerce, the award winning Cruise Nite is coordinated by retired-SPPD Officers Henry Aguilar and Dave Anderson.
Family night or date night the First Friday in Santa Paula is definitely Cruise Nite, a free night of fun featuring cars, entertainment and plenty of places to eat amid unique shopping opportunities.
