The Owensboro Sunset Cruisers schedule cruise-in events each month April through October. While each monthly cruise-in has an associated theme, two events this summer will also recognize the community’s veterans.
“Several of the club members including myself are veterans so there is a soft spot in our hearts,” said Sunset Cruisers President Joe Anderson. “They don’t get the recognition they deserve and, because of the population of the club that is veterans, we understand that. This is our way to help that situation.”
July’s cruise-in theme is “Modern Muscle” cars. On Saturday, July 6, not only will modern muscle cars be on display, but two World War II (WWII) veterans will serve as grand marshals of the cruise-in.
Albert Hall, 98, a former sonar operator in the Pacific Ocean, and George Jones, 93, a former cryptographer in Europe, will be transported in convertibles to kick-off the cruise-in. The cars will enter at Third and Allen streets.
The cruise-in will run from 4-9 p.m. with all donations collected going to benefit Honor Flight Bluegrass. This is the second year the Sunset Cruisers will recognize local veterans by donating to Honor Flight Bluegrass.
“The Sheriff’s office is the connection between Owensboro and Honor Flight Bluegrass,” Anderson said. “They helped us with the Army Armstong event last year and it just all came together.”
Sheriff Keith Cain said it is the community’s support that continues to make the Honor Flight experience so successful.
“Our community has always been supportive of our veterans — giving of their time, efforts and money,” Cain said. “Our Honor Flight program thrives because of their generosity and love for those heroes.”
According to Anderson, the difference between a car show and a cruise-in is that with a car show there is a fee involved and a competition for trophies, while a cruise-in is more of a social event that generally occurs in the evening.
This year has been a productive one for the Sunset Cruisers with April seeing the largest crowd ever at 412 and June being the best June on record with 362. Anderson said the cruise-in draws a lot of people locally and regionally.
“It’s not just Owensboro,” Anderson said. “People come from Evansville, Louisville and Nashville. Then there’s the restaurants and Smothers Park — it just works.”
There will be several door prizes given away Saturday evening, including kids and ladies only door prizes. There will also be a super 50-50 pot that includes a vacation package to Gatlinburg courtesy of American Patriot Getaways, a Tropicana Casino overnight stay and a Quality Inn Owensboro overnight stay.
The portion of the 50 percent pot collected will also be donated to Honor Flight Bluegrass.
“Honor Flight keeps it in Kentucky,” Anderson said. “Korea is sometimes known as the forgotten war, Vietnam veterans never got enough recognition during their time, and our WWII veterans — we’re losing them. This program focuses on all three.”
A second event is scheduled for July 22 at Texas Roadhouse.
For more information, please visit the Sunset Cruisers Facebook page.
