Did you get to the Cruise-In on Friday?

BY Tameka Womack
Special to The Reidsville Review and Eden Daily News
Published: July 12, 2008

Think back when ice cream shakes and feathered hairstyles were in style. The Eagles band was what you listened to while cruising down the main drag. This was not only passing time for Reidsville residents but a passage way to becoming an adult. Well, if you attended the Downtown Reidsville Second Friday Cruise-In, then you relived it all just for one night.

Antique and classic cars lined Scales Street in downtown Reidsville, showing off their longevity and classy design. The proud owners busied themselves by registering their car with the EZ Street Car Club and then parking their vehicles in a visible space, so they could impress the antique car fans - the true critics of their precious belongings. The owners accomplished their goal, because they have made an everlasting impression.

And what is the public contribution to receiving such an unforgettable impression?

A can of food.

Yes, the nonprofit Reidsville Downtown Corporation only wanted for everyone participating - whether via registering their vehicle or viewing the cars for fun - to donate food to the local Outreach Center. A very small gift to give for such a large gift in return.

As cars lined up, the sound of rapid drums set the tone for the evening. On Market Street, the band Linwood Parker played music from a variety of eras. Their versatile sounds had the audience in awe. Their beats had the audience dancing away, recapturing the moves they perfected in their younger years. The band was playing known rock-n-roll songs, then they began playing swing. This change had the audience rejuvenated; then minutes later the band was playing contemporary songs. Their flawless execution of their talents kept car fans excited all night.

Other vehicle owners lined up on Gilmer Street with their eyes fixated on the Star 39 News camera. Men and women sternly stood to get their turn to brag about their precious vehicles. This was not the time to be modest. With gleams in their eyes, confidence in their voices and a 25-year or older shiny antique on their side, nothing could be better.

So the question many car fans were asking amongst each other was: Who do we have to thank for this event?

Events coordinator for Reidsville Downtown Corporation Diana Moran said she was grateful that Smith-Stoke Car Dealership continued to sponsor the event for two years in a row. The drive sells T-shirts to help support the event, as well as the Outreach Center, but the revenue from the sales is not enough to cover all costs of this event.

“They make it possible for the event to be free for all families to enjoy,“ Moran said.

This event was fun for the whole family!

Tameka Womack is an Eden resident.