The second annual downtown cruise-in hosted by the Salisbury Downtown Cruisers brought car enthusiasts and community members together for a day filled with classic cars, live music, contests, and more. The event, titled „Don’t Hide ‚em… Drive ‚em,“ took place on Saturday and drew in over 500 cars and 2,500 attendees, showcasing the rich history of car culture in Salisbury.
Doug Ray, the executive director of the nonprofit Salisbury Downtown Cruisers, expressed gratitude for the support from local businesses that donated door prizes and participated in a 50/50 raffle to raise funds for future events. The organization aims to build a financial platform to host more events and eventually provide support to local charities and nonprofits.
The cruise-in featured a wide variety of vehicles, including classic cars, muscle cars, custom cars, and more, filling up four parking lots and street-side parking along North Main Street. The event paid homage to the nostalgia of cruising downtown, a popular pastime from the 1950s through the 1980s in Salisbury.
The Salisbury Downtown Cruisers, originally a Facebook group dedicated to preserving the tradition of cruising downtown, evolved into a weekly event on Saturday nights. In 2023, the organization launched the „Don’t Hide ‚em… Drive ‚em“ cruise-in event, which has seen significant growth in attendance over the years.
New additions to this year’s event included a Hot Wheels giveaway, featuring die-cast cars donated by the estate of former member Jerry „JJ“ Talbert Jr., and a pin-up contest organized by Pin-Ups and Pumps. The contest showcased women expressing themselves through the art of pin-up, empowering them to embrace their individuality and self-expression.
In addition to the car displays and contests, the event also included live music, a craft bazaar, appearances by special guests, and various community organizations and vendors. One notable feature was the partnership between the Spencer Moose Lodge and the Safe Surfin Foundation, providing equipment to create child identification kits for families.
As the day came to a close, Doug Ray reflected on the success of the event, noting the overwhelming turnout of people and vehicles. The Salisbury Downtown Cruisers will continue to host weekly cruise-in events on Saturdays and will participate in the city’s Halloween Fun Fest for the first time this year.
Overall, the second annual downtown cruise-in in Salisbury was a celebration of car culture, community spirit, and nostalgia, bringing together car enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy a day filled with classic cars and entertainment. The event’s success highlights the enduring passion for cruising and the importance of preserving automotive history in the local community.