The City of Atascadero sponsors the Hot El Camino Nights on the 3rd Friday of August, cruising up and down El Camino from Traffic Way to Curbaril and back, without causing a ruckus, such as rubber left on the pavement, fire-breathing exhausts, or mini-drag races. They have recently scheduled a “car show” in the Sunken Gardens Park for the citizens to see up close and personal. In addition, 5 or 6 bands will play, several food trucks will feed, and several members may even dance. This sets the stage for our club’s car show at Atascadero Lake the next morning.
We the Cruizers do solemnly swear we enjoy working to put on this car show, the only one in this part of the state which keeps cars on grass, under shade trees, and loaded with food vendors to keep everyone fed. There are normally 175 – 200 cars in the show, some traveling from Arizona, Watsonville, Santa Maria, Fresno and the like. Periodic drawings for lots of prizes take place, good old fashioned rock and roll is on the speakers around the park, and so the looking begins, at all the different cars people decided to show off. About 1 PM, we begin the awards presentations, with a 1st and a 2nd place trophy in each of 21 classes, plus 4 individual picks by the club’s 4 officers, then the big one, Best of Show. Lastly, the youngsters get to add their own winner’s nomination for Best Kid’s Choice. All kids who attend the show are eligible to vote for a car of their choice. And about 3 PM, members retire to their homes to begin the yearly process once again.
