Taking the Cruise-in Home With You

It's not necessarily a requirement that Oakboro residents have old cars, but it seems like most do. And they're featured in a new calendar. I really like looking at mine on the wall. When stress hits during the day, I take a gander at Betty and Herman Almond's 56 Chevy and the stress goes away. For an instant, I feel like I'm at the Cruise-in. I envision friends I've met there and the crowds of people who come every month from afar.

That beautiful, bright yellow '56 F-100 Ford pick-up truck that I see every month is the photo for April. It belongs to my friends Jerry and Agnes Crayton. He's the one who actually started this event.

Calendars are $5 apiece and can be purchased during the cruise-in. It's a great way to take a little of it home with you!

March 27 Cruise-in News

Our 2009 Oakboro Cruise-In season has begun and with the weather being in our favor, we expect it to take off as usual on March 27th. This year you can purchase another unique piece of Cruise-In memorabilia. We are offering a calendar complete with picture pages of cars belonging to the folks that have worked to help bring the Cruise-In to the success that it is today. The sale of these calendars and the advertisements in them will help to offset the cost of the Cruise-In.

The cost of this calendar is $5.00. They will be available at several spots on the street at Cruise-In night. You may purchase them at other times at the following Oakboro locations: Rowell’s Screenprinting, Home Savings Bank, Wayside Restaurant, SunTrust Bank, Bank of Stanly and Oakboro Hardware. In Albemarle , you may find them at The Marketplace of Albemarle Antique Mall.

Would you like to feature your favorite antique or classic car in our 2010 calendar? Each 2009 calendar has a insert in it with all the information you will need to do just that. Don’t wait too late, as we have already sold some spots for next year. If you have questions or need a special mailing, please call Becky at 704-485-2065.

Cruise-in Friday - February 27, 2009

Come on down to Oakboro this Friday. Our Cruise-in will be held at 5 p.m. rain or shine. And according to the forecast, the rain will come after we've gone home. So let's have a little fun!

And we've got a few new things to share with you. We've created a classy 2009 calendar to showcase our classy cars. They're $5 each. The snazy photos will look really nice on your wall and help you plan your day. Flyers for this year's season are here. Be sure to pick one up and put next to your calendar.

We hope our new Oakboro Magazine will be here. It's at the printer now. It's packed with all kinds of interesting information about the Cruise-in, our area - and what it's like to live here.

We want to thank a few people for their financial support this year: SunStoppers Professional Glass Tinting; Mike Baucom, Nationwide Insurance Agent; Rob’s Convertible Tops; and Hughes Automotive. The 2009 season is also sponsored by Albemarle Marketplace and Auction Gallery.

Our committee is working on a few new things for this year's season. So you'll just have to come and see what they are!

Get Your Car Ready

Jerry Crayton says this is the time of year to get your car serviced for the busy cruise-in season. He also says to take advantage of warm sunny days and get out the polish. He says very soft cloths help may your car shine. When asked what he likes to use, he replies "old towels and baby diapers!"

Bring Your Car in a Trailer

Don't feel comfortable about driving your shiny old street rod on the road? Haul it in a trailer. We have plenty of parking available right behind the Methodist Church. That's located on the main drag - and you can get a hot dog there too!

This Site Used in a Seminar

Jim Buie, an expert in social marketing, incorporated this Website (blog) in his educational seminar on Jan. 29 at the NC Main Street annual conference. He was talking about ways to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogger and Wordpress to communicate via the Web.

Thanks Jim!

Everyone in the audience represented a small town across the state and many of them hold cruise-ins. Some commented that even though they have not been to Oakboro, they know about it because so many of the drivers of cars participating in their own cruise-ins tell them about the huge and highly successful Oakboro Cruise-in!

2009 Brings Warm Weather for January Cruise-in

Diehard fans of the Oakboro Cruise-In braved the cold for the January Cruise-In. A small but enthusiastic group drove into town to enjoy the camaraderie and to sample the local restaurants.

Visitors from nearby Spencer said they never missed an Oakboro event, siting the friendliness of all the participants. They also frequent the cruise-ins in Lexington, Hickory and other cities, but none are as full of excitement as Oakboro’s. Weather permitting, they said, they will be back in February.

A group of three families from Salisbury said they always came to Oakboro, ate at the restaurants, and stayed through the burnout in the summer months. “We always see people we know and meet the friendliest folks here,” said one participant.

Oakboro holds cruise-ins each month on the fourth Friday night beginning at 5 p.m.. From April through October, a burnout is held starting about 9 p.m. The event continues to draw thousands of people each of those months.

The Cruise-In is sponsored by the Greater Oakboro Business Association and is managed by a committee of dedicated volunteers. This group is working hard to add new features to the event and to make it more spectator-friendly.

For information on vendors, call 704-485-2065. Other contacts include Jerry Crayton at 704-467-4992, Randy Huneycutt at 704-485-4142, and Ann Hopkins at 704-791-3019.

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2009 Schedule

OAKBORO, NC – The 2009 schedule has just been released for the Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout.
The event is always held on the fourth Friday of the month.
The dates are: January 23, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28, September 25, October 23 and November 27. The December event will not be held as it falls on Christmas Day.
Oakboro has become recognized for its event where thousands of people flock to town to see shiny classic and street rod cars, socialize – and listen to crackling tires during the burnout.
Cruise-ins begin at 5 p.m. and the burnout is held at 9:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.oakborocruisein.com or call Jerry Crayton at 704-467-4992.

"Hot Rod Lincoln"

Now that the burnout season is over, here's a little something to lighten up your day -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6g9yylRujU&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&ned=us&q=caring%20for%20street%20rods&um=1&ie=UTF-8&saiurl=http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/o6g9yylRujU/hqdefault.jpg

Friday, Oct. 24 - Oakboro's Last 2008 Burnout

OAKBORO, NC – Burning rubber. Billowing smoke. Bursting tires. Crowd cheers. Photos. That’s what the burnout is all about. It signals the end to a fun-filled night packed with street rods, classic cars, shiny kits and old clunkers.
The Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout will be held on Friday, October 24 from 5-10 p.m. in the heart of downtown Oakboro. The burnout is held April-October, but the cruise-in continues year ‘round. It’s always the fourth Friday of the month.
Cars will start arriving around 3 p.m. and line Main and side streets. People will bring their chairs, grab a burger and socialize. It’s a ritual that pulls people from all across the Carolinas. If the weather is pretty, thousands of car lovers will show up, many driving their pride and joy.
And if this October is anything like others have been, participants at the Good-Guys Rod & Custom Association gathering at Lowe's Motor Speedway will bring their cars, according to event organizer Jerry Crayton. “I’ve seen their event schedule and there really isn’t anything going on at their event on Friday night. My hope is that they’ll come to Oakboro. They usually bring some really nice cars.”
Oakboro Cruise-in souvenirs, festival food and the 2009 schedule will be available. Restaurants and shops will be open. Throughout the evening, free T-shirts will be launched into the crowd. The Medical Laboratory Technician Club from Stanly Community College will be selling 50/50 tickets. Winners have typically gone home with $200 newly-found cash in hand. Antique, street rod and classic car drivers are encouraged to register for door prizes.
Oakboro is located on NC Hwy. 205 just off NC Hwy. 24/27 between Charlotte and Albemarle.
For more information, call Jerry Crayton at 704-467-4992 or log onto http://www.oakborocruisein.com/.

October 24 - Good-Guys Weekend

Jerry Crayton, event organizer, says the weekend of Oct. 24 is the same weekend as the Good-Guys Rod & Custom Association gathering at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"The schedule doesn't really offer much on that Friday night, so we anticipate having some of them show up at the Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout. Some even participate in the burnout. "

Good-Guys attendees come from all over the country, particularly from along the Eastern Seaboard. They bring street rods, custom built, classics and muscle cars through 1972.

Even though this is the last Burnout for the 2008 season, the actual cruise-in will continue on the last Friday of each month. The next burnout will occur in April 2009.

Oh, it's raining!

Today is Friday, September 26 and the skies are gray. It's raining most everywhere across North Carolina as the storm moves across our state. The eye of this non-tropical, tropically-shaped N'easter is over us now - but weather radar has rain extending from Oakboro south to the GA/SC line.

I've had inquiries about tonight's Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout. Organizers tell me that some people are still planning to attend, but that the crowd will be nothing like it normally is - because of Mother Nature.

Events do not have rain dates. The next one will be held the fourth Friday in October - let's keep our fingers and toes crossed for outstanding weather!

Cruisin Carolina Magazine

Like Cruisin Carolina Magazine? We thought so. Many people visiting this site go to that one first. They find our address while surfing and flipping through the pages.Copies are available for $3 each at the Oakboro Regional Historical Museum. Drop by and learn a little about our community's history. Find out why Big Lick has that name - and how old this region really is. Learn about international recording stars and authors who have roots here.

The Museum is located on Main Street across from SunTrust Bank and the US Post Office. The Museum is open 2-4 p.m. Monday and Sunday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Thursday. Group reservations are available by calling -704-485-4222.

Aug 22 - Huge Crowd, Lots of cars - and cash!

The weather was just right - little to no humidity, gentle breeze, comfortable temperatures, slightly overcast. We had a huge crowd with lots of cars. Many of them parked near the Quick Chek. We have lots of parking available at the Railroad Museum. Hopefully in the future we'll get more cars to park there, too.

A lucky attendee at the Burnout walked away with 50 percent of the largest 50/50 drawing we've had so far - he took home $256. Congratulations - and thanks for buying all those tickets.

And the 2009 schedule is out. I'll have it posted by next week. Yes, the Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout will continue in Oakboro!

Car Gal

Friday, August 22 Event Brings Mark Martin Car

The Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout will be held Friday, August 22 from 5 – 10 p.m. Bring your hot rod, lawn chairs and cameras!

The special attraction at this show will be the 2008 Mark Martin car that raced in several Sprint Cup races this season. The car is owned by Dale Earnhardt, Inc and will be parked in front of Quality Child Care on Main Street in Oakboro.

Publisher of Cruisin Carolina Magazine Gary Geissman will be taking photographs of unique cars for the October publication of his magazine. Photos may also be posted on www.cruisincarolinamagazine.com.

Copies of the current magazine are available from the Oakboro Regional Museum of History.
And everyone is encouraged to post videos on You Tube and photos on the event’s Website, www.oakborocruisein.com.

Dubbed the largest cruise-in held in a North Carolina downtown, the Oakboro event typically shows more than 300 cars – classic cars, street rods, trucks and motorcycles. They park along the main drag and side streets.

Restaurants and shops will be open throughout the evening. One of the most unique is a popsicle manufacturer. Additional food vendors will be set up at the corner of North Main and Third streets.

Members of the Medical Laboratory Technology Club from Stanly Community College will be selling 50/50 tickets at the Cruise-in and the Burnout. The club will receive a portion of the proceeds. This season, a lucky person at each event has taken home more than $100 in cash by participating in the 50/50 challenge.

The Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout is sponsored by the Greater Oakboro Business Association with the mission of bringing people into town. Profits from the vendors and other sales are used to pay for event costs, such as electricity, insurance, port-a-johns and music.

Oakboro is located between Albemarle and Charlotte on NC Hwy. 205, just off NC Hwy. 24/27.
For more information about the event, visit www.oakborocruisein.com or call Jerry Crayton at 704-467-4992.

Someone took home $135 in 50/50 winnings on July 25. Congratulations! Organizers say it was a "biggggg crowd!"

Oakboro Cruise-in Featured in Magazine

Gary Geissman, editor and publisher of Cruisin Carolina Magazine, announced Monday that the Oakboro Cruise-In will be featured in the October issue of the magazine.

Launched in March 2008, the magazine focuses on cruising events in North and South Carolina. Geissman and his staff of photographers attend as many as 40 cruising events per month and feature photos both in the monthly magazine and on their web site http://www.cruisincarolinamagazine.com/.

“I believe that the Oakboro Cruise-In is definitely one of the best in the state of North Carolina! I personally travel all over North and South Carolina and Oakboro is in the top three out of hundreds I attend. Where else can you take your family for a night of fun like this for free!”

Mooresville native Geissman has a long history of drag racing, working in both Indy Car and Nextell Cup series. Geissman and staff will photograph the August 22 event and be available to talk to car owners about their classics or street rods. Owners who want to be sure to be noticed should come early to obtain a prime parking space.

The magazine provides free listing of car events as well as car clubs of both Carolinas. In addition to a monthly story about a cruisin diner, Geissman offers restoration tips, technical articles, and stories about salvage yards and auto graveyards. Cruisin Carolina Magazine is available for purchase at the Oakboro Regional Museum of History. Subscriptions are available through the Cruisin Carolina Magazine web site.

Dukes of Hazard car to appear at July 25 Cruise-in

Crank up old Betsy, it’s time again for the Oakboro Cruise-In and Burnout on Friday night, July 25, on the streets of downtown Oakboro.

Crowds of people bring their classic cars, street rods, and kit cars to the streets of town, sit on lawn chairs to enjoy the company of other "motor heads", and parade down Main Street. Then it’s off to the site of the burnout, where folks hold down the brake and accelerator at the same time to spin tires, blow smoke and the occasional tire.

Special attraction this week will be the Hazard County Stunt Team complete with a true Dukes of Hazard Car. Tom Sarmento, original crew member and lead mechanic for building the cars will head the tea. The group can be found on their web site at http://www.hazzardcountystuntteam.com/

Local restaurants are available as are specialty food vendors. Period car owners who register their cars will be eligible for a $50 dollar drawing at the end of the day.
The Medical Lab Technology Club from Stanly Community College will be selling 50/50 tickets on the streets and at the Burnout. Tickets will also be available at the registration tables. The winner will be announced at the Burnout. Past winners have taken home $100 or more in cash!

Training Video - How to Retrofit a Muffler

Interested in doing some work on your own old car? Check out these videos - http://www.dougjenkinscustomhotrods.com/videos/video1.shtml and http://www.dougjenkinscustomhotrods.com/videos/video2.shtml

Million Mile Camaro

Have you seen the news story about the Florida woman who put 1,000,000 miles on her Camaro? If not, click here - http://www.myfoxorlando.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6968273&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.1.1