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Manchester’s New Cruisin History
Downtown Manchester Special Services District
Over the past 9 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 years Cruisin’ on Main Street will be its 10th 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 2008 drew nearly 1,100 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 2010 will be held on Sunday, August 1st from 11 AM to 4 PM with a rain date of August 10th. 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 2010 and become a part of Manchester’s new cruisin’ history.
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