Take Two for Cruisin’ on Main

When there's rain or the slightest threat of inclement weather, don’t expect to see show cars coming out of their garage. Some of these antique and classic cars, trucks, sports cars and street rods haven’t had a drop of rain on their hood in years, and some don’t even have windshield wipers.

As a result, when the weatherman predicted rain for Sunday, Aug. 7, the Cruisin’ on Main Street 2011 event was postponed until this Sunday, Aug. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Main Street in downtown Manchester.

However, despite the delay in the 11th annual celebration, Tana Parseliti of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District and Cruisin’ Committee expects all activities to carry over to this new date, as long as the weather holds off.

“We are really hoping that the weather is cooperative this time,” Parseliti said. “We are crossing our fingers and toes that the rain and dark clouds stay away and we can finally do this. We can’t wait to have another successful year.”

Parseliti, who is the Downtown manager, said that the committee anticipates all of the show cars to make it out for this Sunday. They estimate about 1,000 vintage vehicles to line the streets on Sunday. The show car registration begins at 8 a.m., and it costs $10 to register. It is free for spectators.

The cars are the main attraction of the day, but Parseliti also said that all of the disk jockeys, bands, exhibits and food vendors will still make it out for the rescheduled event.

However, one area that needs help is the number of volunteers for MACC, the Manchester Area Conference of Churches.

“Because of the new date, MACC is looking for volunteers to help out with its trash management,” Parseliti said. “Vacation schedules and other stuff gets in the way, so some of the volunteers from last week can’t make it. But we’re trying to get the word out about additional volunteers for MACC.”

MACC is one of the charitable organizations that will receive profits from Cruisin’ on Main Street 2011. If one is interested about volunteering for MACC, call 860-647-8003 or log on to http://www.macc-ct.org/contact.html.

Money from this event also goes to MARC, Inc. of Manchester, which supports children and adults with disabilities in Manchester and surrounding towns. In addition, Cruisin’ 2011 will donate proceeds to the Downtown Manchester Special Services District for their series of free, family-oriented events.

“MACC, MARC, and Downtown services are three great causes for the public to support,” John Thrall, the Cruisin’ sponsorship committee chairman, said. “We’ve done pretty well over the years, giving a couple thousand every year to them.”

Thrall has been in Manchester for most of his life, and his favorite part of this annual event is seeing all the people and all the cars that come out for a great time.

“Manchester is pretty special to me, and I want to bring people out and see it,” Thrall said. “It is always a very special group of people who own the cars. It’s fun to see spectators’ faces when they see the car they drove in high school or the car their grandpa used to drive.”

Parseliti also said that she notices several spectators each year reminiscing about the cars and how they’ve had a special place in peoples’ pasts.

“People are saying, ‘That was the first car I ever had,’ or ‘I brought you home from the hospital in that car,’ ” Parseliti said. “These are works of art and pieces of history. Kids are also really fascinated by them.”

In addition to the show cars, there will be music and entertainment up and down the closed off one-mile stretch of Main Street, according to Parseliti.

Oldies music and running commentary on Cruisin’ happenings will be provided by 102.9 DRC-FM. Also, DJ Jim Wayne and DJ T.S. Gilman will be on the opposite ends of Main Street. The Eastern Chapter Over the Hill Gang Car Club will bring lively music to the event.

A new feature of Cruisin’ this year will be performances by member bands of the Northeast Surf Music Alliance. There will be five bands playing surf music throughout the day, including The Crustaceans, 9th Wave, The Aquatudes, The Clams, and The North Shore Troubadours.

As for the food and beverages at the event, there will be a food court in the Forest Street Parking Lot and food options along Main Street.

The food vendors include Bobby T’s BBQ, Edible Arrangements, Key West Café, Manchester Chapter UNICO, Manchester Elks B.P.O.E. No. 1893, Seafood Express, Yukon Kettle Corn, All American Hot Dog, The Army & Navy Club, Fried Dough Bakery, Manchester Historical Society, Manchester Lions Club, Rita’s, Super Shakes, and Taking Care Of Tummies.

There will also be restaurants, pubs and bakeries open on Main Street. The “restaurant row” includes Antonio’s Pizza Restaurant, The Brass Key Restaurant, Corey’s Catsup & Mustard, Desi Grocery & Halal Market, El Mariachi Loco, Fani’s Kitchen, Great Harvest Bread Company, Landmark Café, Lin’s Garden, Mulberry Street, Oak Street Pub, Pita’zza, and Sunny Side Up.

Then there’s the Cruisin’ T-Shirt, which features a 1970 Mustang Boss 302 set against a vintage Main Street backdrop. The full color, silk-screened design shirts will sell for $15. Furthermore, vintage Cruisin’ T-Shirts from past events will sell for $10.

This year’s cruise will host over 29 sponsor exhibits, including 12 area car dealerships. Exhibits will showcase information and displays featuring classic cars of the future, automotive products, health, legal, financial and party planning services.

The event’s presenting sponsor is Taylor Rental Party Plus of Manchester. Parseliti said that they are a terrific family owned business, and she is very glad Taylor Rental is returning as the presenting sponsor.

“They are second generation car people,” Parseliti said. “It is a delight for us to have a locally grown business, a great member of the community, and who has love and appreciation for vintage vehicles.”

For more info on Cruisin’ on Main Street 2011, call the office of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District at (860) 645-2101 or log on to http://www.cruisinonmainstreet.org/.