Editor’s Note: The article below is courtesy of Top of Ohio Cruisers classic car club.
Bellefontaine was filled Saturday, Aug. 9, with the sights and sounds of gorgeous classic cars and trucks of all years, makes, and models for the 25th annual Hot Summer Nights Cruise-In.
The Top of Ohio Cruisers classic car club put on their silver anniversary Car & Truck Show, which included a parade from the Logan County Fairgrounds down Main Street to the downtown area as spectators grinned and waved.
Some 424 entries lined the streets with gleaming, colorful cars and trucks.
The event is hugely popular with the public as well, and several thousand admirers showed up to “ooh and aah” at the amazing classic vehicles. The warm summer atmosphere was filled with the sights and sounds of oldies music, food trucks of all kinds, and the chatter of all the admirers.
This year the club had a cash raffle and gave away a total of $2,500 in honor of our 25th anniversary. Raffle winners included Terri Clark of Belle Center, Dave Harvey of Dayton, Bill Ewen of Huber Heights, Lori Horn of Bellefontaine and David Murray of Springfield.
One couple drove their 56 Chevy named “Wild One” all the way from Beal Lake, Pa.
Top of Ohio Cruisers wants to give special thanks to all its sponsors and to the Bellefontaine Police Department for making the event possible. Funds raised by this event will go to support local charities and non-profit organizations to be decided at a later date.
From 2000 through 2021 the proceeds were donated to the Holland Theater in Bellefontaine to aid in its restoration project. This totaled $91,045. After completion of the theater restoration, the club chose four local non-profit charity organizations to donate the funds to for an additional $26,400. We are extremely happy that we can help worthy organizations and their causes in this way.
The club, formed in 1999, has been together for 26 years and is headed by its president, Darin Robinaugh, vice president, Richard Short, secretary, Arlene Beaty, and treasurer, Roger Beaty.
The club is pleased to be able to put on “Hot Summer Nights” Car & Truck Show each year, and is delighted with how well it is received.
Their website can be found at: www.topofohiocruisers.com
A record-setting 424 cars registered for the Top of Ohio Cruisers’ 25th annual Hot Summer Nights Cruise-In, which took place Saturday, Aug. 9. Classic cars and many other makes and models began the cruise-in parade at 5 p.m. from the Logan County Fairgrounds to downtown Bellefontaine to set up for the car show on the hot August evening for the milestone event anniversary. Attendees were treated to food trucks, live music, cash raffles and friendly competition for the car show prizes. Cruise-in proceeds will benefit a local charity. (Susie Jarvis PHOTO)
An aerial view shows the fun and excitement of the Top of Ohio Cruisers’ 25th annual Hot Summer Nights Cruise-In along Main Street, as attendees check out classic and specialty automobiles at the family-friendly event. (Susie Jarvis PHOTO)
Youngsters and their families enjoy time together along the Logan County Courthouse lawn and east Court Avenue during the Hot Summer Nights Cruise-In Saturday evening. (Susie Jarvis PHOTO)
