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Award-winning Cruise Nite draws car exhibitors and visitors from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura counties with nostalgic fun, fine dining, shopping, date nighting, dancing, family outing and socializing against the backdrop of Santa Paula’s historic Downtown. Photo by Mario Rodriquez |
Cruise Nite: Premier of 18th Season brings nostalgia and fun to Downtown
April 15, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Volkswagen Alley was getting plenty of attention at the April 1 Cruise Nite but it was no prank with dozens of pre-1975 VWs lined up on each side of South Mill Street.
There were hundreds of sweet rides at the season opener of Cruise Nite, now in its 18th year of bringing nostalgia and fun to historic Downtown Santa Paula.
A purple “Bug” was getting plenty of glances on Volkswagen Alley, where all colors — how about peach and white? — and models with special touches from chopped to funky causing a foot traffic jam of looky-loos.
Second Generation Unlimited VW Club of Ventura County was behind the display that featured the 1968 “Bug” of Griffith and Joanna Bocek of Port Hueneme.
They’ve owned the VW for four years and are ready to paint it said Joanna, “Abalone or pearl blue,” instead of its present red.
The couple noted that vintage VWs are becoming increasingly popular but the number of trustworthy restorers and mechanics specializing in the German cars remains low.
Anna Ward of Petunia’s Buttons & Crafts & Daisy’s Treasures was busy greeting visitors who popped into her unique East Main Street shop to have a look. And then they found themselves wandering through her wonderland of buttons, craft supplies, scarves, jewelry, art, ceramics, potted succulents and other goodies.
“Oh, we’ve had people coming in,” said Ward who recently moved to the Main Street location. “I’m very pleased tonight,” with the large Cruise Nite crowd.
“There’s more cars than ever!” said Christine Law of the vehicles lined up on the blocked off Main from 10th to 7th and several side streets.
“The one I really love is an old silver Cadillac,” a 1940s model gleaming in the sun.
“It’s much classier than the one with fins,” and she noted, “The grillwork is divine!”
Johnny & The Love Handles was the band for the debut of the 18th Cruise Nite season, which roars into town on the first Friday of each month through October.
Sponsored by the Santa Paula Police Officers Association and Chamber of Commerce, the award winning Cruise Nite is coordinated by Dave Anderson and Henry Aguilar.
Award-winning Cruise Nite draws car exhibitors and visitors from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura counties with nostalgic fun, fine dining, shopping, date nighting, dancing, family outing and socializing against the backdrop of Santa Paula’s historic Downtown.
“We can’t wait for Cruise Nite each year, it’s got such a neat vibe,” said John Tucker of Castaic, who was visiting with his wife and four children. “We’ve been to them all from Saugus to Camarillo, and nothing beats this!”
