If you love Cruise Nite - and who doesn’t? - Friday is your last chance to visit before the most popular car show in the Ventura County ends its 13th season. And it’s a long road to reach April, when Cruise Nite will resume bringing oldies but goodies - hundreds of pre-1975 vehicles - back to historic Downtown Santa Paula.
The September Cruise Nite was a perfect example of why the event has grown in popularity: at the historic Glen Tavern Inn, Attaboy Vintage of Ventura had a sale of must have collectibles filling the lobby.
“We need to develop an Attaboy Vintage Martini!” said Inn General Manager Monica De La Torre. Chris Burko, the owner of the shop, agreed, noting the Inn “is a gem” and the store display a perfect accompaniment to Cruise Nite.
Downtown, Gerritsen said Cruise Nite “is bigger than I expected, more cars... and a lot of fun!”
Sally Cook of Santa Paula said she was just visiting and not manning a table seeking signatures for various local causes she has supported. “I’m just hanging out, having fun tonight; not here for any purpose other than that!”
Others did have a purpose as they eyed and contacted owners of especially sweet 1950s era rides to see if they would display their cars at the September 17 Moonlight at the Ranch V: “Shake, Rattle & Roll!”
Sgt. Ishmael Cordero said the Santa Paula Police Officers Association, a co-sponsor of the event with the Chamber of Commerce and city, said you could always count on Cruise Nite to provide a good time for the whole family. “It’s pretty much the same every month, people having fun, no problems, really fine cars to look at, wonderful places to eat, great live music... we hope to keep it going for many more years.”
Don Tello of Fillmore has been a Cruise Nite visitor for years, and was pleased that “It finally worked out... I actually brought my car with me!” a 1933 Chevrolet Coupe Hot Rod. He noted many people attend Cruise Nite from out of the area and also enjoy Santa Paula’s famous mild weather. “It’s a beautiful evening,” said Tello. “Just think - some people have to leave it all behind.”
Many people have collected Cruise Nite T-shirts - created by artist Wendell Dowling - to wear, as well as to turn into other items such as quilts and pillows for die-hard classic car lovers. Even those who don’t love cars love Cruise Nite, revving up and ready to close its 13th season of providing motorized eye-candy, from low-rider to Rolls Royce. Cruise Nite draws thousands of people to the historic downtown, a goal of the organizers.
Over the years, retired Santa Police officers and Cruise Nite organizers Dave Anderson and Henry Aguilar have seen the event lauded with a Ventura Reporter’s 25th Annual Best of... Awards as the Best of Ventura County Car Shows. And the Santa Paula Rotary Club honored Aguilar and Anderson with a special community service award for their efforts that raise the positive profile of the city, as well as act as an economic boost to the downtown area businesses that cater to event visitors.
Although the evening officially starts at about 5:30 p.m., many car owners and strollers come out much, much earlier, ahead of the crowd drawn from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
For Cruise Nite evening, East Main and every side street from 10th to 7th is full of vintage and classic cars lovingly restored and detailed and painted in every color of the rainbow, and then some. And remember: there is ample public parking for Cruise Nite spectators located outside - but close to - the display areas.
Cruise Nite will rev up for its 14th season come the First Friday in April 2012.
