Cool Cruise XIII April 11, 2009
By
Cool Cruise XIll La Verne, California
April 11 ‘09
Story and Photographs
by Roger Rohrdanz
Easter time is spring colors, happy times, visiting family & friends and doing a little showin’ off! Cool Cruise fits right in. This exceptional event has put The City of La Verne on the map! LD Johnson and his staff of tireless volunteers, including Doug Lorimer and Janet Jewell, do a great job. Along with support of the Old Town Business Improvement District and The City of La Verne, they have created one of the best car shows in Southern California.
The traditional start of this show is a feature that has long been a hit with the crowd. After most of the cars have been parked, the “Power Parade” begins, 10-12 bad blown cars are driven thru the show to their parking spots. Ear plugs should be considered, but it’s a lot of fun. This year over 900 Hot Rods lined the streets of “Old Town”. The Cool Cruise commitment to quality is obvious at “The Intersection” where the spectacular honored cars are on display.
Five hot rod personalities and their teams took part in the “Chili Cook-Off” competing for awards for the “Best Chili” and the public sampling to determine the “People”s Choice Chili”. The teams were So-Cal Speed Shop, L & G Enterprises, Ron Mangus, Hollywood Hot Rods (judged Best Chili), and California Horsepower & Performance (Peoples Choice Chili). The “Chili Cook-Off” raised almost $1,000. for Steven’s Hope For Children. The 50/50 drawing was won by Mike, who was visiting from Sacramento, CA. He took home $1,121.!!
Over 10,500 spectators were treated to lots of great food, a good mix of vendors, the best rock & roll band “The Answer”, and Dave McClelland “The Best Emcee”. What more could a gearhead want?? Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation was again the recipient of a portion of the proceeds.
Thanks for the Show!