Tradition returns to Cruise Night for the Kids

    Andrews – More than 1,000 people came out to see 115 cars Saturday during Andrews Cruise Night for the Kids.
    "We've had a good crowd of people," organizer Jimmy Hyde said, adding that the cool weather helped.
    As he drove his 1979 Chevrolet Malibu with a 383 stroker engine down the alley to show onlookers what it could do, he said the cheering crowd was about nine people deep and 300 feet long. Some people come each year just to watch the cars spin their wheels at night.
    Throughout the day, cars of all types and ages arrived at the former Food Lion's parking lot, and families got see and learn more about the cars as they enjoyed music, food and hayrides.
    Just before the sun set, the cars lined up, then followed Police Chief Michael Hobgood on a cruise through town. The route took them past Valley View Care nursing home, where residents sat outside to watch the parade of cars. "They love it," said Susie Bryant, one of the organizers.
    The group gave out four trophies to top cars – Adam Norton's imperial blue 1971 Ford F100 Ranger Edition won the Mayor's Choice, Robin Sargent's Old Town Brokers 1932 Plymouth Doodlebug won first place, Nicholas El-Khouri's 1985 rust-colored Chevrolet Suburban took second and Ronnie Roberts' 2002 Honda S2000 placed third.
    El-Khouri's vehicle was popular throughout the day and night, as he allowed people to write whatever they wanted on it with a permanent marker. El-Khouri, who grew up in Andrews but lives in Unaka, remembered someone doing something similar at the car show when he was younger.
    "I just thought I'd bring that back," he said. "I just remember getting a kick out of it when I was a kid."
    It was the third time he presented a car at the show, but his first time bringing the Suburban.
    "This has got to be one of the greatest days of my adult life," El-Khouri said. "I'll have to come back next year and see if I get first."
    Sargent was surprised his car won after about eight years in the show – in fact, he was bringing the "poor man's tractor" back home when it was announced the winner. "It's a cool car actually," he said.
    Sargent purchased it from a farmer in upstate New York. The vehicles were pieced together by farmers who could not afford to buy a tractor during that time.
    Money raised at the event go toward helping local children in need throughout the year.
    The annual Christmas party for children will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Andrews Community
Center. At the party, the group provides a hot dog meal for both kids and parents, two goody bags for each child, a choice of a toy from the toy table, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.