The annual event featured 350 vehicles, and registration sold out before cruise
ATASCADERO — Cruisin’ Weekend was back and filled the streets of Atascadero with the sound of classic car motors, cheers from the crowd, and good old hometown fun. The festivities kicked off with the 31st Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite on Friday, Aug. 16. This year, due to the construction taking place on El Camino Real, entries were limited to 350 vehicles and sold out before the day of the cruise.
“I like seeing some of the cars that are still under construction. You know, that people are still putting together. The ones with the big band-aids on them,” said resident Don Sinoneau from his chair in front of Juice Boss on Entrada right before the cruise started.
The 350 vehicle entries brought in a plethora of makes and models from multiple generations. And it was fun to see the excitement on the faces of everyone on the streets as they passed by.
“I’m more for the old rambler station wagons with the kids in the back,” added Don’s wife, Kim Lachance Simoneau. “I think that’s just the epitome of an American classic car. They’re so proud of that car that they’ve owned since they first got married.”
Though chairs were set up all along El Camino Real, Entrada, and Traffic Way, some restaurants decided to stay open late and offer classic car viewing mixed with food and drinks. JonnyBoy’s Bagelry and Jewish Delicatessen was one such place.
“I think it’s fun that it [the cruise] comes along this street, and over at Bramble [Pie Company], we stayed open last year, and we had a small crowd,” said the owner of JonnyBoys and Bramble Pie Company, Emilie Goldstein. “It was fun. I really like the little extracurricular later events. They’re a lot of fun. Also, JonnyBoy, my dad, was a big car enthusiast, so this is like an ode to him.”
The next day, on Saturday, Aug. 17, people who hadn’t had their fill of classic cars headed out to the Atascadero Lake Park for the 33rd Annual Mid State Cruizers Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There, they could see many cars from the cruise up close and also see new vehicles they hadn’t seen.
“We’ve got a huge amount. I think we’ve got over 220 right now. I think we’re at 221,” Roy Barba, president of the Mid State Cruizers, had told Atascadero News the night before at the cruise.
The day of the car show, entries had grown to 230, which was the final tally for the event. The car show is the club’s yearly fundraiser, and 10 checks will be awarded to 10 local charities later this year. Last year, the Mid State Cruizers raised $11,000.
“Our final tally has not been calculated yet, but it seems like we will be fortunate enough to be able to donate as much, if not more than last year,” said Barba when asked how much they raised this year.
The whole weekend concluded with the 8th Annual Dancing in the Streets, which took place in the city streets around City Hall and Sunken Gardens. This year’s lineup included Community Entertainment featuring Motions Academy of Dance, The Vibe Setters, 90’s Babies, Cassie B Band, Manuel Barba with Traffic Records, and Steppin’ Out Band.
Atascadero’s Cruisin’ Weekend will be back next year on Friday, Aug. 15, and Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.
Featured Image: Muscle car Lo-Blo joins in the Hot El Camino Cruise Nite. Photo by Rick Evans
