By Ben Cox
Photos/Ben Cox and Ryan Mason
The smell of horsepower was in the air on Saturday, Sept. 20. More than 150 cars registered for the 41st annual Morton Ave Misfits Car Show and Cruise Night.
Threats of rain during the day had some folks timid on bringing out their prized custom vehicles. As the day went on, fears subsided, and the cars poured into Community Park for a well-attended show on a sunny and humid afternoon.
The Morton Ave Misfits also continued their tradition of the Matchbox car drag races, which filled up pretty quickly. Each child that participated walked away with their own Matchbox car for participating. The big winners each received Hot Wheels tracks and other prizes. One other thing making its debut this weekend was a shiny, brand-new paint job for the Zingabad Grotto Bus. MBC Collision of Springfield and Lomelino Sign Company in Jacksonville helped to provide the new look.
After the car show wrapped up around 4 p.m., the cars took an hour off to fill up their tanks before the official cruise of all the classic cars paraded up and down Morton Avenue. Hardee’s was once again the central headquarters for cruisers. Onlookers got a real treat to some old-fashioned burn outs and even a semi tractor-trailer parade courtesy of some of the drivers of Whalen Trucking in Waverly. The smell of gasoline and burnt rubber filled the air, hearkening back to the classic cruise night events of yesteryear.
WEAI 107.1FM continued its long tradition of being the official cruise night radio station, spinning songs from the ‘50s through ‘70s all day long. The on-air talent was also responsible for the ever-popular Hula-Hoop contest. At 8 p.m., the Morton Ave Misfits held their raffle drawing on the air. Clint Cain was the big winner, walking away with the tricked out golf cart.
