Packed weekend features 31st Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite, Mid-State Cruizers Car Show, and Dancing in the Streets

ATASCADERO — This weekend, the city is welcoming the annual Atascadero’s Cruisin’ Weekend. The weekend kicks off with the 31st Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite on Friday, Aug. 16, at 6:30 p.m., continues on Saturday with the 33rd Annual Mid-State Cruizers Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Atascadero Lake Park followed by our 8th Annual Dancing in the Streets in the Downtown from 5 to 10 p.m. Plan to be in Downtown Atascadero on Aug. 16 and 17 for this favorite, yearly tradition. 

Hot El Camino Cruise Nite is one of the largest and most popular annual events in San Luis Obispo County and one of the city’s signature events. On Friday evening, 350 local cruisers from the 1950s and 1960s (plus earlier and later years) come downtown, from local residents to a variety of cruisers across California. These beautifully restored antique cars cruise up and down El Camino Real from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Over the years, Cruise Nite has grown and expanded to be a weekend event for locals and tourists alike to enjoy a full weekend of fun.

Cruise Nite festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, and the Mid-State Cruizers Car Show will be at Atascadero Lake Park on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., where you can check out the interior and exterior of a wide variety of antique cars. The weekend will then continue in the Downtown at 5 p.m. for the 8th Annual Dancing in the Streets.

On Saturday evening at 5 p.m., Dancing in the Streets will jump-start the evening with community entertainment performances on the steps of City Hall to several bands performing at designated stages around the Sunken Gardens area. Check out a variety of music from the Cassie B Band to the Vibe Setters to the Steppin’ Out Band to the 90’s Babiez Ultimate Party Band. There will be a variety of food trucks, craft beer, and wine vendors, who will be ready to celebrate a fun evening of music and dancing. The evening promises a full variety of music for everyone’s enjoyment and entertainment, whether you want to dance or just enjoy the music and engaging atmosphere. Special community entertainment will include the California Mid-State Fair Queen’s Court and Motion Academy of Dance in Atascadero, along with community dance instructors Sharon and Dan Davis to help kick off the event and get everyone on their feet.

Everyone is sure to work up an appetite and with all that dancing, and a variety of food trucks will be available including Heavenly Hot Dogs, Mary’s Cuisine, The Dough Connection, Quick Comfort Cuisine, Puerto El Grande, Templeton Greek food, Atascadero High School Greybots, G. Brothers Kettle Corn, Savina’s Tamales, Huatulco Tacos, Sweet Creations, Zen Dog, Wandering Eats, Paradise Shaved Ice, Vaandez Grilled St. Dogs, and Crave Mini Donuts.

On tap, there will have a variety of beer, wine, cider, margaritas, and distilled spirits with a special thanks to their nonprofit beverage vendor, the Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo for arranging the collection of beverage vendors.

Cruisin’ Weekend events are free to attend. Food, and drink are available for purchase and a variety of local merchants will be open! For more information about the event, road closures, where to register your car for the cruise, go to VisitAtascadero.com/Cruise 

Feature Image by Rick Evans