Final cruise night of year has good turnout

Perfect weather brought a good turn out Aug. 20 to the final Cruise Night of the 2010s in downtown Plainfield. Classic cars lined both sides of Lockport Street - receiving looks of admiration and interest from both gear heads and patio diners as the sounds of 50’s rock n’ roll played in the air.

Cars on display ranged from a 1926 Model T Ford with its original engine, an example of the infamous Ford Edsel, a Ford Falcon and some Mustangs from the last few years. There were also some Chevys, a large number of pickup trucks, a Buick GS, a Pontiac Le Mans and a 2003 Pontiac Solstice. A Mercury Cougar from the early 70s was complete with a “Nixon-Agnew” bumper sticker and an unfinished-looking Mazda Miata was the favorite of one 10-year-old boy simply because it had pop-up headlights.

Bob Baron has been a Cruise Night regular for the last 10 years, but remembers decades ago when the event was regularly held on Route 30.

“It’s still great that they do this in the downtown area and the residents come out for it,” said Baron, who lived in Plainfield during the 1970s and 1980s. “It’s a good people turnout and there always seem to be a lot of buddies I haven’t seen walking around.”

Baron makes it a point to attend the first and last Cruise Nights each year regardless of weather.

“It’s great for families to come down here or (for people) to eat at the restaurants and just look at the cars,” Baron noted.

Across the street, Dennis Damiani and his son Matt wanted to discuss cooking oil more than motor oil. Matt is a Cub Scout in Pack 19 and was dressed as a bag of popcorn. He spent much of Cruise Night selling popcorn to passersby.

“I do like popcorn,” Matt admitted.

“Our pack leader made the outfit and it gets a lot of comments. (Matt) enjoys wearing it,” Dennis said. 

The only brief sound of disharmony heard above the revving engines and oldies were two barking dogs heading in opposite directions down Lockport Street.

Cruise Night events are scheduled to return to downtown Plainfield early next summer.