On the evening of Wednesday, August 12, 2015, picturesque East Main Street in downtown Lititz turned into a rolling museum of automotive history. The annual Car Cruise, sponsored by the Lititz Lions Club, was set to bring more than 200 vehicles to the heart of town from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
A street full of chrome
The Car Cruise has long been one of the most popular summer events in Lititz. Owners of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods and vintage trucks park along East Main Street, and residents and visitors stroll among them, admiring paint jobs, peeking under hoods and swapping stories with the people who keep these machines on the road.
For many spectators, the appeal is nostalgic. A particular model can bring back memories of a first car, a family road trip or a long-ago date night. For younger visitors, the cruise is a chance to see in person the cars they may only know from movies and photographs.
The 2015 event promised more than cars. Organizers planned music and a DJ, along with pedal cars for children, giving families something to enjoy beyond the vehicles themselves.
Supporting vision charities
The Car Cruise is a fundraiser, and its proceeds serve a cause central to the Lions Club’s identity. Money raised goes to local Lions projects as well as to district, state and international projects that provide funds for vision-related charities.
Lions Clubs around the world have a long history of work related to sight. Members collect used eyeglasses, support eye screenings, fund research and help people who are blind or visually impaired. A night of admiring beautiful cars in Lititz helped feed into that larger mission.
Free admission, food on hand
Admission to the cruise was free, making it an easy outing for families. Food was available for purchase from local Boy Scout troops and other vendors, giving those groups a chance to raise money of their own while keeping spectators fed.
The event was scheduled to go on rain or shine. As the day approached, the forecast looked promising, and organizers expected a perfect summer night for the cruise.
A downtown tradition
Part of what makes the Lititz Car Cruise special is its setting. Many car shows take place in large parking lots or on fairgrounds. In Lititz, the cars line a historic main street with brick sidewalks, independent shops and restaurants, and views toward the Moravian Church Square and Lititz Springs Park.
That backdrop turns the evening into more than a car show. Visitors can browse the cars, step into a shop, grab dinner at a downtown restaurant and then return for another look as the sun sets and the chrome catches the evening light.
The cruise also draws people downtown on a weeknight, which benefits local businesses. Restaurants and ice cream shops tend to stay busy as spectators make an evening of it.
The people behind the cars
Car owners often travel from across Lancaster County and beyond to take part. Many have spent years restoring their vehicles, sourcing original parts and learning the history of their particular make and model. The cruise gives them a friendly audience and a chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
For spectators, talking with owners is one of the best parts of the night. Most are happy to explain what makes their car unique, how they found it and what it took to bring it back to life.
An evening for everyone
Between the music, the pedal cars, the food and the hundreds of vehicles on display, the 2015 Lititz Lions Car Cruise had something for car fanatics and casual visitors alike. And because every dollar raised supported Lions projects and vision charities, an evening of fun also did some good.
For anyone looking for a way to spend a summer Wednesday, the formula was simple: bring the family, walk East Main Street and enjoy one of the town’s most beloved traditions.