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CHICOPEE A celebration of summer and an American dream happens twice a week in Chicopee. What could be better than owning your perfect car and getting to show it off on pleasant summer nights? Two local organizations sponsor cruise nights in which car owners can exhibit their automotive offspring to an admiring public. The result is inexpensive family entertainment that raises funds for programs run by the Moose Family Center and Knights of Columbus Council #69. On Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., car enthusiasts gather at the Knights of Columbus quarters on Granby Road for an evening of 1950s music, food and a raffle. Lined up on the front lawn, the cars ranged from late models with custom hydraulics to a 1930 Ford coup to a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 with trophies balanced on its engine. Brian Houghton is the chair of the Knight of Columbus cruise night. He said this is the second year of the event, which will run through September. On any Wednesday night from 6 to 9 p.m., 80 to 11 cars come in and park. Some get there as early as 4:30 p.m., he added. There is an easy-going atmosphere at the cruise night with car owners talking to spectators and each other about their cars. People leisurely walk from car to car while a disc jockey plays hits from the 1950s and '60s. Houghton said the cruise circuit is a real lifestyle for some and said there's a cruise night almost every night of the week. On Sunday, there's one at Westfield Vocational High School. On Tuesdays, the Ludlow Elks host one. Wednesday is the night for the Knight of Columbus Council #69, while Thursday you can cruise at the Moose Family Center in Chicopee. On Friday, it's South Hadley's turn at Buttery Brook Park or you can go to the McDonalds on Route 75 in Agawam. And Saturday, there's a cruise night behind the McDonalds on Routes 10 & 202 in Southwick. The rules vary from event to event, but Houghton said at the Knights of Columbus cruise night, if a car wishes to be judged, the owners pay a $1 registration fee. This qualifies them to win an award. There are no restrictions about the kind of car shown at the cruise night. "If you want to show off your car, bring it in," Houghton said. The free event attracts a lot of families who walk around the cars, enjoy the food and drinks sold by Knights and participate in the weekly raffle. On Thursday nights, The Moose Family Center has their turn. Dan Summer, the governor of the lodge, said the event has been going on for over five years and on a good night can attract 150 to 200 cars. Their first cruise night featured only 25 vehicles. Now, like the show at the Knights of Columbus, there is a dizzying array of cars ranging from a restored World War II vintage jeep to a customized 2005 Ford Mustang any New England Patriots fan would love to a classic 1935 Dodge. Summers pointed to a line of Corvettes and said with a smile that Corvette owners want to stick together in their own row. At the Moose cruise night, there is no entry fee and car owners can register to win a gas card each week. There is also a disc jockey playing an impressive collection of pop and rock songs with an automotive theme and a busy concessions area. Cars start pulling into parking spaces as early as 4 p.m. for the three-hour event that starts at 6 p.m., Summers said. The Moose will sponsor their cruise night through Sept. 9. On Aug. 9, children are encouraged to customize and decorate their bicycles for a special exhibit with prizes and trophies awarded to the best bike. Gino's Auto Services will sponsor that event and Summers said most cruise nights have a sponsor. As with the other Chicopee cruise nights, all cars are welcomed at the Moose event. "It's a great community thing to do," Summers said. | ||||||
