Editorial: Right at home: Consider seeing this classic attraction

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A recurring summertime event in River Falls for 2011 highlights a couple of things most Americans love: Cars and community. If you haven’t dropped by, you have two more chances to do so.

The local chamber of commerce-organized and volunteer-supported Cruze Ins feature classic and collectible cars and motorcycles parked up and down Main Street 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, as well as special deals offered by downtown merchants and broadcast music.

The first-ever event in June brought nearly 200 cars. The second in July drew many more. Auto buffs agree: Word of these events spreads, and they tend to grow in numbers of cars, vendors and people.

Those who have attended say it’s a great day to go downtown and see some sights, as well as neighbors and visiting car enthusiasts. Attendees say everybody seems happy and relaxed.

The events give locals something to see and do on a lazy Sunday. And they bring much-needed business downtown on an otherwise slow day.

The Cruze Ins draw coveted visitors to River Falls and introduce them to the city’s charms. A welcoming atmosphere may draw people back to camp, kayak, fish or explore — staying a few nights in a local hotel and shopping at local stores.

For those who spend time building, buffing and refurbishing cars — and within River Falls there are many who do — the show-and-tell events give an ideal venue for them to exhibit their machines, compare notes with other car buffs and encourage those with “something at home in the garage.”

Cruze In visitors report an interesting scene. No matter who you are, there’s a car, a style, a paint color, an engine type that would make you smile and say, “Wow, look at that!”

Onlookers enjoy the sound, and sometimes the feel, of a powerful, perfectly tuned engine.

The fun comes in seeing all the different things born of each car owner’s imagination or the meticulous attention to detail in some of the restored-to-original models.

Have you ever seen a motorcycle with a car engine? A hot-rod Corvette? An early 1900s sedan or truck with a wooden bed?

Two more Cruze Ins are scheduled — one, this Sunday, Aug. 14, and the other, Sunday, Sept. 11. Roll downtown to see the free show of autos, from modern hot rods and motorcycles to classics and other machines of a bygone era.

You might be surprised to see the model that makes you grin as you remember the time…You might also be surprised to find someone you know behind the wheel.

The Cruze Ins offer something free to do that’s appropriate for all ages. There’s no politics or stressful decision making.

The auto shows bring neighbors together and promote the city in a positive light. Go on down to see a shining example of community in action.

The Journal’s online poll question this week asked: There’s serious talk of a recall petition drive that will start in January against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Would you sign a petition for Walker’s recall?

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, the results were: NO, 49.4%; YES, 48.1%; and MAYBE, 2.6%.

To vote, go to www.riverfallsjournal.com

Tags: river falls, opinion, editorials, events