The 2016 Downtown Hazleton Classic Car Cruise-In will take place in Downtown Hazleton on Friday, August 5th (rain date August 12th) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Cruise-In, coordinated by the Downtown Committee of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, is sponsored by Hazleton Auto Trade Association. “The Hazleton Auto Trade Association is excited to partner with the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce for this year’s car cruise” stated Matt DePrimo of Barber Ford, president of the association. “Together the association members have had over 240 years of membership with the chamber. We understand the importance of a strong chamber in our community and look forward to the opportunity to bring a family friendly event that also represents a chance for us to showcase our individual businesses. We hope to see you all for a fun summer evening.”

On Cruise night, the classic vehicles enter at Church and Chestnut Streets (by the former Blue Comet Diner), make a left onto Laurel Street and then continue to Broad Street where they will immediately park between Cedar and Church Streets and will be available to the public for viewing until 9 p.m. Dash Plaques, compliments of Lehigh Tire Company, will be presented to the first 100 vehicles as well as goodie bags, donated by local businesses.

 

Bill Spear, chairman of the Downtown Committee states, “We are grateful to Hazleton Auto Trade Association for agreeing to be the premier sponsor of this year’s cruise. Their sponsorship allows us to make this a great evening and assists us with our marketing costs and entertainment throughout the evening. Family friendly events like these help bring the community to the downtown. The committee is thankful to the association for their continued commitment to this event.”

Downtown merchants and businesses are being asked for items to be placed in “goodie” bags for the participants. These items can be pens, keychains, cents off coupons, hats, anything to help promote their business. Or, they can purchase an item from a fellow member business and present that prize on their behalf. Items should be provided to the Chamber office no later than Friday, July 29th.

Jimmy Grohol, cruise chairman, stated that for the ninth year, the Legends oldies band will provide live entertainment. The band, co-sponsored by Jimmy’s Quick Lunch and the chamber, will provide entertainment from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition, DJ Tony Pacelli and DJ Jim Dino will also be playing music throughout the evening. Plus, attendees, both cruise participants and the public, will be able to register to win prizes from participating merchants.

First Friday will also take place during the cruise with many additional activities planned throughout the downtown. For a complete list of those activities visit downtownhazleton.org.

The Hazleton Automobile Trade Association will once again display new vehicles on the sidewalks of downtown Hazleton beginning at noon. Members of the Association include Barber Ford, Berger Family Dealerships, Fairway Motors, Feussner Ford, Harry’s U Pull It/Kress Auto Parts, Hazleton Automall, Independence Toyota, and Tunnessen’s Auto Parts. Local car clubs are invited to set up a display to promote their organization. Merchants are also encouraged to take advantage of the busy day by conducting “sidewalk sales” throughout the day and evening.

In addition, a special advertising campaign is being coordinated by the downtown merchants and businesses and the Standard Speaker. If you would like to take part of this special advertising, call the Standard Speaker at 570-455-3636 as soon as possible. In addition to the Standard Speaker, El Mensajero, GEM 104, Panorama Community Magazine, Poder Latino, SSPTV, Telekaribe and WYLN are also media sponsors.

Attendees will enjoy free parking at meters and city lots including the parking garage on Wyoming Street beginning at 5:00 p.m. the day of the cruise. Officials stress that Broad Street, between Church and Cedar Streets, will be closed to through traffic from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to accommodate the Car Cruise-In. Alternate traffic routes are suggested for the general public. Directional signs, courtesy of DeAngelo Brothers/Interstate Road Markings will be placed throughout the cruise area.

The public is encouraged to attend by coming to Downtown Hazleton to view the hundreds of vehicles and take advantage of the many businesses that will remain open until 9:00 p.m. Bicycles and skateboards are not permitted throughout the cruise area.

For additional information on the Downtown Hazleton Car Cruise-In, call the Chamber office at 455-1509 or email .

Pictured on photo from left: Jim Grohol, cruise chairman; Earl Berger, Berger Family Dealerships; Charlie Ecker, Barber Ford; Dan Kisacky, Fairway Motors; Mark Charnigo, Lehigh Tire; Pete Gregor, car owner; Ron Feussner, Feussner Ford; Tony Servedio, Hazleton Automall; Bob Tunnessen, Tunnessen’s Auto Parts; Chris Stash, Independence Toyota; Bill Spear, downtown committee chairman. Missing from photo: Joseph Kress, Harry’s U-Pull It