Car enthusiasts were able to strut their stuff over the weekend.
The Carter County Car Club started off the 2017 season on a high note on Saturday, April 2, during the opening evening of the annual Cruise-In event in Historic Downtown Elizabethton.
While the weather forecast early on looked to throw the event a curveball, Carter County Car Club President Bob Livingston was able to look on Saturday with hundreds congregated downtown as calm weather conditions remained in the area.
“I thought we had a great crowd,” Livingston said. “The weather early on didn’t look that good but it changed on us there right as soon as the Cruise-In started. It was a great night and we appreciate everyone that came out.”
With a tradition spanning over 30 years, the Cruise-In allows car enthusiasts to set up in the downtown area and showcase their cars to the public. Along with the cars, attendees have the chance to see what downtown Elizabethton has to offer with the various stores and vendors out serving up items to the public.
“It’s always great to bring people out to downtown in the evening hours over the weekend,” Livingston said. “I saw a lot of new cars Saturday that I haven’t seen before at other shows. I saw a lot of people from out of the state, too. It’s always a fun time to have new people, and our regulars, come out to show their cars and raise a little money for our charities.”
The Carter County Car Club holds their Cruise-In every Saturday evening from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
When cars come in, the club has a barrel at the entrance they use to raise funds for multiple children charities that assist with each year.
“Just from our barrel, we were able to raise around $120 Saturday night and that’s great for the first night,” Livingston said.
Founded back in 1982, the club helps bring out car enthusiasts to Elizabethton while raising money for various charities, which include the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree Program, Friends Down Syndrome Program, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County, the county schools’ accelerated reader program and the Children’s Evangelism Fellowship.
2016 saw the group reap the benefits of a support system throughout Cruise-In and their annual car show attendees. Throughout their campaign last year, the group was able to raise $4,500 alone just going toward the Christmas Angel Tree program. Along with that, the group was able to make donations to each of their charities they partner.
But while 2017 gets rolling, Livingston said downtown still has room for more vehicles.
“We still have spots available,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a great opportunity to spend time in a family-friendly environment, talk with old friends and meet new ones. We’re hoping to have the music up and going for this weekend and we’re expecting an even bigger crowd.”
For more information on the Car Show, visit cartercountycarclub.com or their Facebook page, with the same title, online.