On Friday evening, 350 vintage cars will roll down the El Camino Real through downtown Atascadero as part of the 31st annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite.
If you plan to attend the event, you can expect some changes this year.
For the safety of pedestrians and vehicles, three pedestrian crossings are provided to citizens.
“You really want to make sure you use the crosswalks,” said Terrie Banish, director of community services and promotions for the city of Atascadero. “There’s a crosswalk (from Malibu Brew to the gas station) and a crosswalk further down Traffic Way and down by the movie theater and Huckleberry’s Restaurant.”
The organizers are convinced that this will prevent the cars from overheating and the associated slowing down of the journey.
Since the Camino Real is still under construction, the city has also decided to reduce the number of cars taking part. Instead of 500, there will be 350, but the route will remain the same.
“It goes down Curbaril Avenue to Traffic Way and they turn onto Entrada Avenue, then turn around Entrada to Traffic Way and back onto El Camino Real,” Banish added. “So exactly what you’ve learned to expect.”
Roy Barba, president of the Mid-State Cruizers Car Club, said he didn’t expect construction downtown to look the way it does now.
“I think it’s looking pretty good now compared to about a week ago,” Barba said. “People are setting up their chairs in the morning, sometimes in the evening before they secure their seats themselves. So I think it’s nice that they actually kept the cruise on the same route, which was kind of uncertain for a while.”
Community members who have participated for years tell me that the construction work will not stop them from participating this year.
“So many people come,” said Atascadero resident Coreen Carrillo. “Kids come too. It’s just a great night with lots of people and it’s fun.”
“It’s almost like a Fourth of July parade, with all the people lining the street, yelling ‘Hey’ and revving their engines,” said Paso Robles resident Laurie Silva. “We’re having a lot of fun. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”
The cruise on Friday takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Mid-State Cruizers Car Show will be held at Atascadero Lake Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the 8th Annual Street Dance from 5 to 10 p.m. in downtown Atascadero.
Admission to all events is free.
Click here for more information.
