By Marla Ballard
Reporter
FORT PAYNE – Save the date this year for April 15 for more than just the deadline for taxes. The Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-In kicks off for the season and new additions are coming. The difference between a Car Show and Cruise-In is a Cruise-In does not have fees for participants or spectators. A Cruise-In is a social affair where car and/or motorcycle enthusiasts can share and talk about their interests.
For over a decade the third Saturday from April thru October (September is skipped for Boom Days Festival) downtown Fort Payne has hosted a Cruise-In for classic cars. This year the Cruise-In will include motorcycles in addition to cars.”
“The lack of street parking between First and Second Streets will now be utilized for showcasing motorcycles,” according to Amelia Landstreet, one of the visionaries of Third Saturday Cruise-In. “We have had over 5,000 hits on our page concerning the showing of motorcycles, we expect a great start for the Third Saturday Sunset Cruise-In.” Street-legal cars will still be shown in the same locations as in previous years. There are generally well over 200 cars on display.
The streets are blocked off for pedestrian use only. Shops, restaurants, and eateries are open for business, live music and the aroma of food fill the air at this downtown event. In addition to restaurants, a variety of food truck vendors will be open for business. One vendor returning from last year is Mobile Munchies, owned by Daniel and Jenna Chitwood. Stop by for a spicy burger and a Yoo-hoo. Follow Facebook for more menu options.
The entertainment will consist of two musical stages. One will be local musician Kevin Rooks, playing guitar and harmonica near North 5th Street (next to the Coal & Iron Building). Rooks was raised in Henagar and has been playing guitar for over 50 years. Rooks played in a Chicago cover band that played the tri-state area of Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama formany years. “Those who enjoy musicians like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Chris Stapleton should stop by and listen,” said Rooks.
The downtown music stage (near 1st Street) will present a Show Band led by Dr. Matt Leder. Dr. Leder has been a professional musician for over 20 years and has been music faculty at Calhoun Community College since 2022. Prior to this appointment, he served as Music Director/Instructor at Gadsden State Community College and was the director of the award-winning GSCC Show Band. “The band will consist of anywhere from 14 to 26 musicians and play a variety of genres, ” said Dr. Leder. For more information go to www.mattleder.com.
Bring a lawn chair and sit a spell or keep pace with the roaming crowd. Visit the city park for children’s activities. The “block party” is from 5 PM until 9 PM in downtown Fort Payne. Follow Facebook for more information.
