Manchester’s New Cruisin’ History

Downtown Manchester Special Services District

Over the past 7 years Cruisin’ on Main Street has grown to become one of Manchester, Connecticut’s premiere special events. Cruisin’ on Main Street is a single day cruise and car show for antique and classic cars, trucks, sports cars and street rods twenty-five years old and older. This one-day event brings thousands of vintage vehicles and enthusiastic admirers to the streets of historic Downtown Manchester. This year’s Cruisin’ on Main Street will be its 8th annual event. The idea for a Main Street cruise and show was born in 2001 and quickly caught fire. A generation of Manchester residents recall Thursday evenings spent driving the Main Street “loop” with their best girl by their side.

The board of commissioners of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District adopted the idea of a Main Street cruise at the urging of commission chair and local businessman Ed Firestone, of Pinewood Furniture, and vintage vehicle “guru”, Butch Gordon of Manchester Motorcar Co. Given the unique history and character of Main Street and the burgeoning interest in vintage vehicles, the commission thought that a Main Street cruise and show would be a winner.

A core group, comprised of representatives of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District, Manchester Motor Car Co., the Over the Hill Gang Eastern CT Chapter and Good Time Rock 'n Roll 102.9DRC FM took on the task of organizing the event. With technical support from the Town of Manchester, the first Cruisin’ on Main Street was held in August of 2001. Cruisin’ organizers had a modest goal of attracting 200 show cars and several hundred spectators to that first Cruise. Over 500 show cars and several thousand spectators turned out. Since that beginning, Cruisin’ on Main Street has grown exponentially each year. Cruisin’ on Main Street 2007 drew over 1,500 vintage vehicles and over 30,000 spectators, making it the largest Downtown cruise and show of its kind in the Northeast.

Cruisin’ on Main Street 2008 will be held on Sunday, August 3 from 11 AM to 4 PM with a rain date of August 10. Folks of all ages who appreciate the beauty, engineering and romance of our automotive past should mark their calendars to attend Cruisin’ on Main Street 2008 and become a part of Manchester’s new cruisin’ history.