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It was hats off, or rather top down for a vintage Corvette with jaunty fins and fuzzy dice at Cruise Nite, the only place to be Friday evening where hundreds of cars and plenty of people gathered to celebrate Santa Paula’s hometown feel and perfect outdoor weather.

By Peggy Kelly

Santa Paula Times

It was hats off, or rather top down for a vintage Corvette with jaunty fins and fuzzy dice at Cruise Nite, the only place to be Friday evening where hundreds of cars and plenty of people gathered to celebrate Santa Paula’s hometown feel and perfect outdoor weather. The Corvette, a cream-colored beauty with red and cream accents, was just one of the fabulous cars made for gawking that were drawing plenty of attention.

Hot rods lined up at attention; a cheery yellow 1936 Ford Coupe - a registered Historical Vehicle - with red accents and subtle red accents and pin stripping, a silver classic gull-wing Mercedes, a red and white little Nash Rambler, ready for its “Cars” close-up, led down Main Street to a vehicle of indeterminate age and breed but heavy with humor. “Genuine Stolen Parts” read the window sticker, that statement and the skull grinning at passers-by drawing more than one startled glance and chuckles.

Jason Scott is justifiably proud of his 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster that his mother Cheryl said took him four years to restore. “We come to Cruise Nite every month,” but the 2008 season is the first time that Jason has been able to display his car. “It’s nice,” Cheryl noted as she eyed the huge crowd, “to see everyone.”

“This is the biggest Cruise Nite I’ve seen this year,” said John Blanchard, President/CEO of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce who was distributing information about the August 16th “Moonlight at the Ranch.” “It’s another crummy weather day in Santa Paula,” he added with a laugh. “It’s amazing, we just keep having amazing events... and the restaurants are jammed.”

John said he had just run into Port Hueneme Chamber President/CEO Kathleen Misewitch: “She brought her whole family... she said she keeps reading about Santa Paula” events such as the Kiwanis Citrus Festival and the Citrus Classic Balloon Festival, and decided to attend a local event to “see what everybody has been talking about. Santa Paula is gaining quite a reputation” for fun times.

“Cruise Nite” runs on the First Friday of April to October. “We missed it last month” when the event took the 4th of July holiday off, said Connie Baker of Camarillo.

Now in its 10th year, “Cruise Nite” draws car owners and visitors from throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties. Visitors can shop in local stores, enjoy a meal at area restaurants, and enjoy the live music - on Friday provided by two bands separated by about two blocks.

Over the years “Cruise Nite” has expanded and now ranges from 10th to 7th streets, including some side street venues. “It’s just a really good time,” said Bruce Benjamin of Valencia as he closely examined a vintage Dodge Dart. “I’ve always wanted one of these... maybe I’ll be back next month with one of my own.”