America’s largest block party is over after 10,712 classic cars infiltrated the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the 30th anniversary of Cruisin’ the Coast.
Represented this year were cruisers from more than 40 states and five countries to include Germany and New Zealand, but the largest group of cruisers comes from right here in Mississippi.
This year, Mississippi cruisers totaled 3,811 with Louisiana cruisers in a close second with 2,832. Many cruisers have been in attendance for 20 or more years while others made their first trip to the event. Regardless, each cruiser agrees that the gathering of vintage vehicles and people is one of their favorite annual events.
Susan and Keith Walters from Olive Branch are veterans of the event and say they just enjoy cruisin’, meeting people and visiting different cities. They arrived in their green 1965 Chevy C-10 step side farm truck along with another couple who have enjoyed the event for more than 15 years.
“My tag says ‘SHINE’ because all I do is light up when I see it,” Susan said. “It was a birthday gift to me from Keith in 2020, and I was so surprised.”
She said the engine is from a wrecked 2001 Yukon, and is proud to announce that she and Keith repowered the truck together.
“I did it with him,” she said. “We took the motor out and replaced it, and it was awesome.”
While it doesn’t compare to some of the shiny paint jobs on may other cars, she said the only body work that has been done was to add a Poppy Patina clear coat.
“It is going to stay the original color,” she said. “My daddy had one just like this when I was a little girl, only it was a different shade of green.”
Their traveling companions are Richard and Stacey Burrow of Hernando are easy to spot in their orange 1966 Chevy with a license plate that reads, “CRUSH66.” The two couples make this an annual event along with other classic car show circuits.
“Even with having to leave early due to a hurricane, we loved it this year, and we will definitely be back next year,” Susan said. “It was really crowed, and we never made it to cruise central, but we loved every venue.”
This was the first time the cruisers had ventured eastward to Moss Point, but they said it was a favorite, by far.
“My favorite was Moss Point because of the old town feeling and the beautiful waterfront park,” she said. “Everyone was so nice and the weather was great.”
Among the cruisers mingling along the streets were cruisers from all other states. Gary and Joyce Horton from Laurel, Maryland, trailered their 1971 Formula Firebird 1,100 miles to attend Cruisin’ for the first time. They were here for the food, friends and cars and enjoy attending vintage automobile events across the country.
“We saw it on YouTube and had some friends who had come here, so we came to check it out for ourselves,” Horton said. “We loved the ‘59 Chevy station wagon.”
