Cruise-In Draws a Crowd

Doo-wop music and the smell of barbecue floated on the summer air as car enthusiasts gathered at Booster Field in Willow Springs Saturday night. Crowds milled among the more than 50 vehicles that turned out for the event. Beautifully restored classics were certainly well represented, but so were brand-new cars, works in progress, and well-loved vehicles of every description.

“This is just car enthusiasts getting together,” said organizer Jason Story. 

Whereas a car show will see vehicles judged and evaluated thoroughly for prizes, the cruise-in is simply an opportunity for people who love cars to get together. 

Story brought his own original condition 1947 Plymouth. It has its original engine and transmission, and paint job that looks familiar with Missouri weather.

“I wouldn’t take it to a car show,” Story said, “but a lot of people like it just as it is. They say ‘don’t touch it’. And it’s something to talk about.”

Story organized a small cruise-in for the first time in June with only about five cars. As the summer wore on, the events gained popularity. Saturday night, there were 57 vehicles on display, over half of which were at the cruise-in for the first time. Story is in talks with the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce to launch an even larger cruise-in event soon. 

“This has just turned into a monster,” Story said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”