Andrews The threat of rain didn’t stop car enthusiasts and collectors from pulling it to the Andrews Town Center parking lot to display their treasures atop four tires and shiny rims Saturday afternoon.
The Hot Summer Nights Cruise-in is one of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620’s annual fundraisers, and raise money they did. The entrants not only paid the fee to show off their cars, they paid extra toward the yearly fundraiser – and there were plenty of generous donations as well.
Tony Anderson, quartermaster/adjutant for Post 7620, said, “We really appreciate the community for all their support. They came out in the rain to help us, and these classic cars take time to clean. Some of the cars are $100,000 and $200,000 cars.
“I’m ecstatic about the turnout. The people are everywhere, and everybody is happy.”
Anderson was also grateful their sponsors. He was happy to have received a grant for advertising from the Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority. The VFW hopes to make the Hot Summer Nights Cruise-in a multi-day event in the future.
The event brought out food trucks, like Dragon Ass Smoked BBQ and Frankie’s Dog House, and folks were lining up to eat.
There were about 50 vehicles entered in to the show, and Anderson said 450-500 people had shown up in just the first hour of the four-hour show. Trophies were awarded for different categories, and booths were set up to help veterans with questions about services and benefits.
Danna Pash with the Cherokee County Veterans Service Office was happy to be at the event.
“It’s a good opportunity for the VFW to have sponsors and do this,” she said. “It draws a good veteran crowd, and the more people I can get in to the VA system, the better. I can help them with disability compensation and health care.”
Lauren Dilts with High Lonesome Therapeutic Equestrian Center came out to show her support for the veterans, as she offers 10-week sessions to veterans at no charge. She brought with her a miniature horse, Cheyenne, who was received lots of attention.
As the skies grew darker and thunder could be heard getting louder, organizers decided to have the trophy ceremony earlier than expected so everyone could leave.
Just after 4:30 p.m. the motors started up, temporarily drowning out the sounds of real thunder. Metal “muscles” flexed and one by one the works of beauty began rolling out of the parking lot revving their engines. It was an early ending to a still successful event.