Well, the time has finally come. Cruise-In is back.
After being “closed for the season” in 2010, Cruise-In president Riccardo Sestito and his car fanatic team are bringing the Langley Good Times Cruise-In back to town on Saturday, Sept 10.
“The show is back rain or shine, and we’re not even skipping a beat,” Sestito said.
The 100,000 or so visitors who are expected can enjoy hundreds of hot rods, street rods and antique cars lining the streets of the Downtown Langley core, along with the great food, entertainment and shops that come with the package.
This year Cruise-In is proud to be supporting the Langley Stroke Recovery, Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association and the Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary as its main charities.
Well over $1 million has been raised to support local charities since Cruise-In’s beginning in 1997. Organizers are excited to be able to bring this great fundraiser back to life.
And with a year off to reflect on Cruise-Ins past, some new changes are now being implemented.
Pre-registration of vehicles is now required, at a cost of $25, which will go to 2011 Cruise-In charity beneficiaries. This can be done either online, or by mail through print-out applications found on the website.
The organized Friday night cruise to the Twilight Drive-In in Aldergrove has also been suspended, to discourage unsafe racing actives that were staged in 2009 by an outside, unaffiliated group.
What will remain is a great show on Saturday and a swap meet on Sunday. New merchants, contests and performances are being included to make the event better than ever before.
“We’re carrying on with the show and we want to hold the best show,” Sestito said.
The task now is to round up enough donations and sponsors to fund the event.
New land permit costs and belt tightening from previous sponsors are putting a strain on organizers. In past years, memorabilia and merchandise have been paid for in advance, but there is just no money in the budget to do this for 2011.
Sestito urges local businesses and large companies to get involved with sponsoring this massive event in the City.
He says it is a great opportunity to get their name out to large crowds of people from across the continent, and is an opportune time to give back to the community through the local Cruise-In charities.
For more information on sponsorship, volunteer opportunities and registration, visit www.langleycruise-in.com.