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Langley Cruise-In a big success once again

Hard work by volunteers and intense interest from the public make for a great Cruise-In, as happened again this year.

Once again, the Langley Good Times Cruise-In was a success. Good weather Saturday, lots of volunteer help and many interested spectators made for a great day on the streets of Langley City.

It’s interesting to go to Cruise-In year after year. While many of the vehicles on the street come back year after year, there is always something different and unique on display. Sometimes it triggers memories of the past, and sometimes it’s just something unique.

The radio-controlled vehicles on display near City hall were a good addition this year. Seeing them climb a mountain of rocks and watching them on a very realistic drag strip showed that enthusiasts can enjoy large, full-size cars and working scale models equally.

I sometimes wonder just how it is that Cruise-In almost always avoids being rained out. While there was one memorable rain-out (and there were still plenty of participants that year), most years the weather is bright and sunny. It certainly adds to the festive atmosphere when the sun is shining.

I went to see it earlier than usual this year due to other commitments later in the day on Saturday. It was interesting to see just how many people were on the streets of Langley City at 9 a.m. Some were there to beat the heat and the crowds, but most simply wanted to get there early and have plenty of time to see as many displays as possible.

The display area was reduced somewhat this year, with 56 Avenue being open to traffic and the Value Village parking lot not being used. It was good that the casino parking lot was made available, as it is in close proximity to most of the main Cruise-In display areas.

The amount of co-ordination required to pull this show off year after year is amazing and the directors deserve a huge round of thanks for all they do to make this show happen. The huge corps of volunteers who handle parking, security, concessions and a myriad of other tasks also are integral to making the event such a success.

It is important to note that all money raised goes to charities — the Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Langley Stroke Recovery group, and Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association.

It is important to note that it is the hospital auxiliary, which itself is a volunteer group, which receives major support from Cruise-In. Despite a lot of double-checking, our Cruise-In supplement published last Tuesday used a logo that left the impression that Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation is supported by Cruise-In donations. I apologize for the error.

With all the money that is raised for charity, it is unfortunate (but not surprising) that some car owners and car-related businesses set up shop in adjacent areas to capitalize on the success of Cruise-In. While they have every right to do so, it would be nice if they worked with the organizers and helped through registration fees to support these great charities that do a lot to make Langley a better place.