Southport Magazine

Rolling back into Southport Oct. 9-10 

BY: NEILL CALDWELL

Time for a true-false quiz:

1. The Ford Mustang made its debut in 1964.

2. The Thunderbird, or T-bird, is easily recognizable by its round side windows.

3. In the Beach Boys’ song, the “Little Old Lady from Pasadena” drove a “super-stock Dodge.”

4. The 1953 Corvette came only in one color: white.

5. The muscle car featured in the movie “Vanishing Point” was a Dodge Challenger.

If you answered true to five questions, you sure know your classic cars. If you missed one, it might be time to do some homework.

The opportunity for either kind of folks is coming up Oct. 9-10, when the Cape Fear Cruisers Car Club and the City of Southport will host the Second Annual Classic Cars ‘n Rock ‘n Roll Weekend. Classic autos from the 1950s and ’60s will be on display, along with music, a street dance, a vintage dress contest, dance competition and food available for purchase.

“Once we launched the classic cars weekend last year, we knew there was no turning back,” said Joni Schinske, assistant director of Southport Tourism. “People loved it and the smiles on their faces remained long after the cars cruised out of town.”

The Cape Fear Cruisers is a Southport-based organization that supports local charities with events like this one. Club president Bill Vann said there was no question about having a second annual event after the success of the first.

“It was fantastic and well received by everyone,” said Vann, who owns a 1956 Ford Victoria and a 1972 Olds Cutlass convertible.

On Friday, Oct. 9, the event will kick off with a “cruise-in” of cars in downtown Southport Friday from 5:45 p.m. until 9 p.m. The cars will be back on display on Saturday from 10, until 9 p.m.

Also on Friday night, there will also be a drive-in movie – “Hollywood Knights” – at Taylor Field (Nash and Rhett streets near the Smithfield Burying Ground) at dusk and street dancing downtown with classic rock and roll music spinning by DJ Billy V.

Saturday’s highlights include a $5 all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the Howe Street Fire Station (a new event for 2015 sponsored by Southport’s Fire Department) beginning at 7:30 a.m., vendors at Water Front Park and classic cars along Howe Street, and entertainment at Howe and Bay street beginning at noon. Entertainment will include live music with the Jam Sandwich band at 3 p.m. and The Flying Saucers playing from 6 until 9 p.m. There will also be awards for the favorite car and for the exhibitor who traveled the longest distance to participate.

Car registration will be held at the 1950s restored service station on the corner of Howe and 9^th Streets on Friday from noon until dark and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon. Registration forms are also available at www.capefearcruisers.com, where you can also find more information.