Inspiration comes to us in different ways. When teacher Jim LaCoy decided to make his high school automotive class the first to build, enter, and compete in the annual Great Race road rally across the country, they had only nine months to birth their project. One of the biggest hurdles was a financial one, and fund raising became monumental. Holding Titusville’s first Cruise-In on May 11th, 1996 drew crowds and sparked interest from both car enthusiasts and spectators alike.

With Cruise-In popularity spreading throughout the state, the Space Coast Antique Automobile Club of America decided to pick up the ball and organize a regular Cruise in Titusville. Begun in March, 2005 and continuing on the odd months of the year, the first Saturday in Titusville has grown each time, with successful Cruise-Ins. Heat, cold, even drenching rains haven’t dampened the public’s interest.

The first Cruise of 2007 saw 300 cars. Some license plates told us they were from as far away as New York and New Jersey. As we circulated through the crowd and wove in and out of the parked cars, we particularly searched for new and unusual vehicles. It was an obvious family affair type outing with spectators on foot, in baby carriages and in wheel chairs. Many dogs had places of honor as they rode in their own special carriages. Red roses adorned the back of open air convertibles, attracting the female element in the crowd, while custom paint jobs and oversized engines stole the male interest.

Beth Rodamer from Merritt Island said, “Downtown Titusville has changed so much. It’s just so quaint and beautiful. What’s going on here...it’s like a little Utopia, a little old town...an old town thing. I just love it!”

Ken and Evie Card sat by their unique vehicle and were happy to answer our questions. Although they have lived in Edgewater, Florida for less than a year, and plan on returning to their upstate New York roots when the weather gets too hot here, Ken is best known as “The K-Man”. Someone in the crowd even recognized his voice and came up to shake his hand. Ken is a well-known DJ in New York, playing music of the 50’s to 80’s just to “make your event special”. Car events are their specialty.

Evie Card, President and Founder of The Chromettes of America explained how the group of woman car enthusiasts, both owners and drivers, started thirteen years ago and now have over 55 members across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Four years ago they received the Hobby Hero Award from Hemmings Motor News for raising $50,000 for their local Ronald McDonald House in upstate New York. Their web site can be found by first going to the Hemmings web site and typing in Chromettes.

The TitusNites Cruise-Ins promise to become one of the biggest in the state, with fun, strolling and interests for all. Again, it is held the first Saturday of the odd months, with antique and classic cars filling North US 1 in historic downtown Titusville from 4:00-8:00pm. The downtown merchants are open for shopping, the restaurants are open to satisfy, their are cash prizes, 50/50 drawings, and DJ music by “The Wanderer”. For more info contact Lee Dodd at 321-269-3498, and we hope to see you in Titusville on May 5th, 2007. CN