This Saturday, strolling down East Elk Avenue, grandparents will relive the days when perhaps they first met at a drive-in dairy, sweethearts may swap glances for the first time, and parents will be pulled by eager children pointing, saying, “Look at that one!” And the pillars along the avenue will be the same: classic cars, hotrods, and high performance muscle cars.
The Carter County Car Club’s summer Cruise-ins begin Saturday, April 2, and all ages are invited to experience the continuation of what Car Club members revere as a truly American pastime.
“People bring classic cars, older cars, special interest cars, and newer model cars — even late model Mustangs and Corvettes are welcome,” said Club President Bob Livingston. “It’s a nice family get-together that doesn’t cost anything; they can enjoy shopping at the antiques shops and fellowship with friends.”
The Cruise-ins are scheduled every Saturday through October 29 from 5-9 p.m. The annual Car Show will take place on July 9 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Downtown Elizabethton, where the Cruise-ins take place.
The Cruise-ins are free to attend, but the Car Club accepts donations to help sponsor the numerous charities and projects it supports. In the past, it has funded the Carter County Imagination Library, a children’s evangelism program, Friends of Kids with Downs Syndrome, the Elizabethton/Carter County Boys and Girls Club, books for the Accelerated Reader Program at local elementary schools and the annual Salvation Army Angel Tree gift drive.
This year, the club is going to sponsor funding and labor for a public bathroom along the Tweetsie Trail downtown.
“We typically have between 200 and 250 cars and thousands of people, and most of the stores have no public restroom, so this will provide a public restroom for Cruise-in visitors, Tweetsie users and downtown shoppers,” said Livingston.
In the past few years, Sycamore Street has been closed for the Car Show, but Livingston said this year, it will remain open.
“That gives people access to the bank’s night drop and other places they might need to go,” said Livingston.
Armed Forces Drive will also remain open.
Parking is available in the city’s side lots, and Livingston encouraged patrons of the Cruise-in and annual Car Show to utilize those lots to be courteous to downtown diners, shoppers and merchants.
All owners of antique, vintage, classic, custom, and high performance automobiles are welcome to park along East Elk Avenue for the event, but Livingston asked everyone to please respect the hours of the event and to not begin angle parking before 5 p.m.
Bicycle and skateboard traffic are asked to refrain from the downtown area during the event. Car Club members are responsible for cleanup after the event, but Livingston asked that guests be respectful to the downtown area and use the garbage receptacles provided by the city.
For more information, visit cartercountycarclubtn.com.