Good morning and welcome to Bobby’s world. This week I want to talk about a summer favorite for car lovers — that is, local car shows.
Every summer at this time there are many local places in the Pioneer Valley that hold cruise nights. These people really care a lot about their cars and trucks and enjoy sharing them with the public. Some places hold one each year (such as The Western Mass Chapter of the Antique Truck Club of America’s annual show, which is held at Yankee Candle), other places hold only one per month or, like the show at Kringle Candle, hold one every week all summer (weather permitting).
Here is a list of some of the cruise nights happening in Franklin and Hampshire counties and their monthly dates:
Tom’s Famous Long Hot Dog and Grill in Whately: Every Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. through early October. Enjoy the cruise night while eating one of Tom’s famous hot dogs on Routes 5 and 10 in Whately. Classic Cars and trucks, D.J. Bruce Marshall will be playing oldies and there will be a 50/50 raffle. For more information contact Gary Kloc at 413-665-2931.
Pine Hill Orchards in Colrain: Cruise night at Pine hill orchards on Greenfield Road in Colrain is the second Thursday of the month (Thursday Aug. 8 and Sept. 12) from 5 to 8 p.m.). There will be music, raffles, food for sale and a lot of classic cars and trucks. Go to the orchard’s website for more information at pinehillorchards.com.
Cruise-in Northampton Car and Truck Show: The Bluebonnet Diner on King Street in Northampton will host cruise nights to benefit the Florence VFW on Wednesday, July 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 21 in the back parking lot of the diner from 5 p.m. until dusk. You can get Food inside the diner. There will be a 50/50 Raffle and cash prices awarded for the best cars and trucks. For more information contact the Bluebonnet Diner at 413-586-3333.
Gerry’s Cruise night on Route 2 in Charlemont: Held the first Friday of each month (Aug. 2, Sept. 6) from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring many classic cars and trucks plus a live band, raffles and food. All proceeds go to Relay For Life. The address there is 749 Mohawk Trail in Charlemont, just off Route 2. Call Todd Gerry at 413-834-8830 with any questions, or find him on Facebook. If there is a chance of rain, he usually cancels.
Riverside Cruising at Schuetzen Verein in Gill: On the third Thursday of the month, enjoy a wonderful cruise night at 55 Barton Cove on Route 2 in Gill. Here are the rest of the dates for the summer (this coming Thursday night, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19). The cars will be featured from 5 until 8 p.m. There will be a cash bar and food for sale including burgers, hot dogs, fresh cut fries and pulled pork. A 50/50 raffle will also be held. There’s plenty of free and easy parking. For more information contact Dennis Chuwee Underwood at Riverside Radiator 413-863-4049.
Kringle Candle’s Coffee and Cars: On the second Sunday of the month from May to October (July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8 and Oct. 13) enjoy coffee and classic cars at Kringle Candle on Route 5 in Bernardston from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. They have coffee available and lots of classic cars and trucks. Enjoy the cars tomorrow morning, this Sunday, plus the remaining dates of this season. Admission is free and the coffee is always on early at Kringle Coffee and Cars.
As a local personality for radio stations WHAI 98.3, Bear Country 95.3, WHMP 99.3 and Bobby C’s DJ Service for the past 36 years, Bobby C. Campbell has been connected to the community for a very long time. If you have an event that needs promotion or an idea for a future column, e-mail him at bobbyleslie25@gmail.com.