Sue Giralico from the Lynn Township Recreation Committee was expecting the best turnout ever for the car cruise July 10 at Ontelaunee Park.

She said community support has been excellent with New Tripoli and ESSA banks and Nestlé Waters helping sponsor the event.

Winners are chosen by the exhibitors for cars, trucks, motorcycles and street rods.

The Slatedale-Emerald Lions set up a food stand and flipped hamburgers for early comers.

The Lynnport Fire Company volunteers provided french fries for the first time.

Jesse White was in charge of the music.

Gary Dotterer opened the historic buildings for cruise visitors to see.

He brought his Buick, the first car he drove in high school. The car is bright with Stratomist blue paint.

The car had been sitting in his father, Russell’s barn. His father said there were seven people interested in buying it if Gary did not want it.

Gary took it and the car cruise was the car’s first outing.

Gary Dotterer said the car has a new convertible top, tires and front interior, though the back is original.

He also said a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the restoration.

“And money,” his wife Ann added.

Gary Dotterer said the Buick Club of America will be coming to the Boulevard Drive-In and will parade around Coca Cola Park on July 26. A thousand cars are expected.

Paul Hilbert and Betty Bleiler were showing a 1964 Chevy Impala Supersport. Hilbert had the car four years and said he did some of the restorations but it was mostly original.

The car had been painted the Toreador Red color when he got it.

He also has a 1970 original Chevy pickup. He only shows it occasionally.

An ’84, all-original Cutlass Supreme is taken to a lot of shows.

He lives in Topton and travels within a one-hour range to get to shows. He enjoys the one at Bear Creek Junction. If the weather is decent he goes to a show.

John and Pat Muchalski of Coplay have and show a 1955 Crown Victoria for the past year. They also have a 1989 Mustang in which the engine and transmission had to be replaced.

Ontelaunee is the first show they ever attended and he is finding he can learn a lot by talking to the other showmen such as where to get parts and where other shows are.

The car is a Sunburst Yellow. The color had another name the previous year.

As the cars left the show grounds, the drivers were met with signs saying “Goodbye. Farewell. It’s been swell. Come back next year.”