Many car cruises take place against a backdrop of historic brick or on wide stretches of parking lot pavement. One Lancaster County car show takes a different approach. At the United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz, cars are spread across grassy grounds, giving residents the chance to relive their glory days just by stepping out their front doors.
On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, the community hosted its annual UZRC Car Cruise.
A truck with a story
A few years earlier, one memorable vehicle at the cruise was a green 1947 GMC truck, a sturdy half-ton short-bed pickup built just after World War II. Its owner had worked at the retirement community before he retired, and residents knew all about the truck long before they saw it.
As he made his rounds doing repairs in residents’ homes, he would talk about the pickup. Many residents had been in the prime of life when trucks like it were new, and they looked forward to seeing it. When he finally brought it to the cruise, it was a hit.
The truck had a working history. According to its owner, it had been used mainly to haul logs that propped up the roof of a local mine. From time to time it carried more dangerous cargo. He recalled that workers once had to haul dynamite in it, and that they sat on the cases so they would not bounce around.
Stories like that are a big part of what makes the UZRC cruise special. The vehicles spark conversations, and residents often share memories of the cars they drove, the trips they took and the work they did.
How to take part
Admission to the cruise was free for spectators. Anyone interested in displaying a car, truck, motorcycle, tractor or other motorized vehicle was invited to arrive before 6 p.m. A minimum donation of $15 was suggested for entrants.
All proceeds went to the UZRC Caring Fund, which helps support residents of the community.
Food was available for purchase, and prizes were awarded to a variety of vehicles.
When: Wednesday, August 31, 2016, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: United Zion Retirement Community, 722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz
Bringing the show to the residents
What sets the UZRC cruise apart is its audience. For many residents, getting to a large car show downtown or at a fairground can be difficult. By bringing the cars to the retirement community’s lawns, the event makes it easy for residents to enjoy the show, chat with owners and spend a summer evening outdoors.
The setting also creates a relaxed atmosphere. Instead of rows of cars crammed into a parking lot, vehicles are spread out across the grass, and visitors can stroll at their own pace.
A community event
The cruise draws participants from across the Lititz area and beyond. Car owners enjoy the chance to show off their vehicles to an appreciative audience, and many return year after year. Families come to see the cars and visit loved ones who live in the community.
For residents, the evening offers a connection to the past. A particular make or model can bring back memories of a first car, a wedding day or a family vacation. For younger visitors, the cruise is a chance to see the vehicles their grandparents talk about.
Supporting the Caring Fund
Because the proceeds benefit the UZRC Caring Fund, the cruise is also an act of community support. A small donation from each entrant adds up, and the funds help the community care for its residents.
For an evening of classic cars, good food and great stories, the UZRC Car Cruise offered one of the most heartwarming events of the late-summer calendar in Lititz.