Heartland Cruise Car Show Delivers Good Times
by Richard Stephens, Jr.
Cruising during Weatherford's Heartland Cruise Car Show, June 14, 2024.
Sittin’ and watchin’ Friday night’s car cruise was relaxin’, as was walkin’ around Rader Park on Saturday, hearin’ the Loud Exhaust Contest, observin’ the Burnout Contest and viewin’ cars, pick-up trucks and motorcycles in the Car Show, all part of Weatherford’s 34th Annual Cruise Car Show, June 14-15.
The event was free to the public in an effort, Mayor Mike Brown wrote, to provide a “family friendly event here in Weatherford!” Long-time organizers Michelle Lee, Joanne Phain and Tommy Nabors estimated 5,500 people attended.
Two thousand folks watched as 200 antique, classic and newer cars, trucks and motorcycles paraded downtown and around SWOSU in a closed loop motorcade on a warm Friday night. A lottery system was used to give $1,000 in cash giveaways.
On Saturday, Rader Park filled up quickly with at least 200 car show participants, 88 vendors and about 3,500 attendees.
Children dug for coins in the Money Pit; kicked, jabbed and jumped over cushions during Chris Pollman Karate Academy’s skills demonstration and played in a giant inflatable (new this year).
Engines growled, whirled and shrieked with deafening pop-pop-pops and blue carburetor smoke as 15 vehicles tried to outdo each other one-by-one in the Loud Exhaust Contest.
At 2:00 p.m., after members of the Fire Department watered pavement, 20 vehicles tried to produce the thickest white clouds of smoke in the Burnout Contest. Most cars, but not all, met the 15-second minimum tire spin time. Judges Julian Calvillo looked for “smoke height” and Cayson Jarnagin looked for “smoke billowing from the sides.” Jeff Doucet of Weatherford competed in his 2015 Silverado. He brought his two sons “Because it’s Father’s Day weekend…I really enjoy the Burnout Contest and all the cars.”
View of vehicles in the car show and some of the 80 vendors at 2024's Weatherford Heartland Cruise Car Show.
Frankie Fry, a resident, registered his 11-foot high, 10-foot long 1953 Chevy pick-up in the car show. “I come out for Father’s Day because it’s all about the kids,” he explained. Ninety years of vehicles vied for attention. Participants took home 74 trophies and $50 cash in the Car Show and the Top 3 winners of the Exhaust and Blowout Contests earned between $25-$150.
Another successful event? Yes, said Michelle Lee, Lead Planner. “I think our attendance, all the way around, is up,” referring to total participation. Mayor Mike Brown agreed. “We live in a great community that offers a lot of different activities!”
Hosted by the Weatherford Rotary Club and Heartland Cruise Car Show Committee, 18 volunteers worked for 8 months to made it succeed. Net proceeds benefit the Weatherford Police Department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
