Andrews – After 16 years, Andrews Cruise Night for the Kids took one last ride through town Saturday.
In an emotional speech, Danny Rich dropped the bombshell to audible gasps in the crowd.
“We’re aging out, we’ve lost some good people and it’s hard to get help or volunteers anymore,” he said. “We’re still going to help the kids. We’re doing our annual Christmas party Dec. 16, and we’ll trust that you trust us to spend this money on the kids.”
Susie Bryant, an organizer and core member of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, said this year’s turnout was good. However, competing car shows cut into the number of entrants this year.
“We had 89 cars in the show, so that’s still a really good turnout,” she said. “We’re looking forward to the Christmas party with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the community center this year.”
Bryant said it’s bittersweet that this is the last year for the show, since she’s been involved from the beginning of the organization.
“We used to partner with the Andrews Police Department, and it was Police Pals. The department would pick out gifts for a set amount of children, and when we transitioned away from Police Pals in 2017, we decided we wanted to open it up for the whole community,” she said.
“We’ve done the Christmas party since 2000, and we usually have over 400 people attend, with the kids getting to pick a gift from Santa Claus. They’re always delighted, and it just helps the community come together in a great way.”
While the party will continue this year, the end for the car show left everyone on a seemingly low note. However, the weather was perfectly autumnal, the antique, class and muscle cars gleaming in the late-afternoon sun.
In what’s becoming her trademark, Kimsey Creasman again sang the national anthem, rousing the crowd’s spirit. The annual route through town took a little longer than usual since everyone wanted to let the moment linger, with cheers and horns honking, music blaring and eyes watering.
A choked voice announced that one of those the organization recently lost, Bum Carringer, would be taking his last cruise through town as well. Rich and Paul Bryant had the honor of escorting Carringer’s cremains. The event also honored and paid tribute to the memories and contributions of deceased members Linda Macie, John Coffey, John Beavers, Robert Hamilton and Russ Newton.
Winners of the event included first place for Jeff Trull’s 1969 Red Super Cobra Jet Ford Mustang. Second place went to Cale Wilson for his 1946 Black Chevy Studebaker, and in third was Ronnie Roberts’ 2002 Black Honda S2000.
The Mayor’s Choice went to Roger Roberts’ Red 1969 Camaro Z28. The oldest vehicle was brought in by Mike Foy, a restored Black 1925 Dodge Brothers Special Touring.
Bryant said while it’s sad that this is the last car show, the organization will still help where and when it can.