Car enthusiasts have been gathering at the big flag in Southampton weekly during the summer for 25 years and July 25 was no exception as attendees celebrated the occasion as well as organizer Gary 'Mr Cruiser' Brown.
Hub Staff
A loyal following combined with dedicated volunteers have been the driving force behind 25 years of successful Cruisers' Cruise Nites in Southampton and 'Mr Cruiser', aka Gary Brown, has been behind the wheel since its inception.
On July 25 the show formally celebrated their silver jubilee with cake, rock ’n roll and plenty of sleek automobiles stationed in front of the Southampton flagpole.
Locals and tourists alike gathered to gawk at glistening classics from every era. Drivers pay a $2 entry fee to showcase their cars and a weekly 50/50 draw has helped Brown et al collect a weighty collection of over $265,000 for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) to date.
Tracy Murray and Mary-Jo Arnett from SMHF assisted Brown with the cutting of a ceremonial 25th anniversary cake. As visitors as well as classic, vintage and antique car owners lined up for a slice, Brown joked, “The cake’s free, plates are one dollar and forks are three," then added, "Can you tell I’m trying to make money for the hospital?”
Brown was presented with a plaque shaped as a wrench from friends and supporters which read “Gary ‘Mr. Cruiser’ Brown Thank you for your time, service and many cruise nights”. He was also given a poster sized card covered in pictures of Brown with countless Cruise Night guests.
Brown was visibly touched by the gesture. “I can’t thank you guys enough, from the heart,” he said. “We love the hospital and us old buggers love our cars.”
From left, Tracy Murray, Executive Director at SMHF; Gary 'Mr Cruiser' Brown and Mary-Jo Arnett, Vice-Chair SMHF Board of Directors cut the ceremonial cake celebrating 25 years of Cruiser's Cruise Nites.
Tracy Murray, Executive Director at SMHF, hands out slices of the celebratory cake at Cruisers' 25th anniversary celebration July 25.
On the left, Bob Johnson (right) presented his friend and creator of Cruisers' Cruise Nites, Gary Brown, with a plaque to commemorate his 25 years of dedication to the weekly summer car show and support for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Mr Thompson arrived in vintage style and escorted by two young friends in his 1922 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.
Larry LeSauvage (centre) and Julie LeSauvage boasted their one-of-a-kind lavender 1936 Chevy Coupe. The lavender colour came from Larry’s late sister-in-law who left behind a chip of lavender nail polish on the car, which Larry used to match and repaint the entire Coupe. Pictured with Larry are Madelyn (9) and Isaac (7).
Bob McKenzie sat behind his brilliant teal 1959 Austin, enjoying a piece of chocolate cake as onlookers admired his pristine vehicle at the 25th celebration of Cruiser’s Cruise Nites in Southampton July 25.
