Skip to main content

Cruisin' The Coast!

I have been stuck on pumpkins lately, so I thought I would surprise you with an entirely different post. I adore anything vintage and vintage cars are no exception.  It reminds me of a gentler time when life was slower and a Sunday drive in the country was a weekly family event.  For the residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, this week is officially known as “Cruisin’ the Coast”.  Cruisin' is celebrating its “Sweet Sixteen” party this year!  If there are vintage car loving  males in your family, then this blog post is for them.  Really!! Go round them up, offer them a milkshake or a bottle of pop and play some 50’s music while they enjoy the show! 

 You may be asking, what is Cruisin’ the Coast?  The official website for CTC describes it as America's Largest Block Party.  Sounds like fun! Here is what CTC organizers have to say:  Cruisin' The Coast® began in 1996 as a festival to celebrate antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, nostalgic music and related events.  374 vehicles registered that first year and in 2011 we had 5,484 registered vehicles.  Car enthusiasts from over 39 states and Canada drive to the Mississippi Gulf Coast once a year to showcase their rides and to cruise our beautiful 26-mile stretch of beachside highway with designated stops in Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, D'Iberville, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs.   Each venue is set up as a mini festival with a stage for live bands, reserved parking for registered cruisers, spectator parking, and vendors for food and event merchandise.  Our week long event includes cruise-ins, a VA Hospital Cruise, car auction, swap meet, car corral, and a parade. Spectators are welcome and will find that our cruisers love to talk "old cars."

Our church, First Baptist Biloxi, has been hosting a Cruisin’ event for the past several years.  We provide a yummy selection of free food from red beans and rice to hamburgers and hotdogs, a fabulous 50’s band, and a safe place for cruisers to show off their cars and fellowship with others. Our Boy Scout troop helps out with setting up, traffic control, and whatever else is needed.  My plan was to do my official Boy Scout duties and then take off with my trusty camera, pen and paper so that I could share a few stories with you. However, I was stuck at home with a migraine, so my husband helped me out by snapping these shots.  He is sweet like that!  Let's see what he came home with...

Isn't this red car terrific?  I love the lines of vintage cars.  I am not sure of the make and model of this one, but I can say that it is a beauty!
How about this classic?  I wonder what stories this car could tell?
Here is a shot of the Do Wops!  These are employees of the Peoples Bank in Biloxi.  Wish you could hear them!  They can belt out some of your favorite 50's sounds and do so every year for this event.  The Do Wops provide entertainment for all!  
 I am not sure if this was the original color, but what a burst of sunshine!
How about this purple truck?  I don't think Grandpa would be hauling hay in this truck, but it sure is a head turner now.



Or this one? Who wouldn't love cruising along our twenty-six miles of shoreline with the top down! I would love to own a classic convertible!  In fact during this week, many cars are bought and sold.
Love this one!  Can you see the grey one beside it?  I'm thinking gangster movies!
Looks like everyone is having fun!  


My friend Vicki and her husband Dino own a classic Porsche.  They sent me these pictures to add to my post.  These were taken in downtown Ocean Springs, MS. Most cities on the coast host a Cruisin' event.  I love the yellow convertible!
They don't make the inside of cars like this anymore.  Do you remember the hand crank window?
Can you tell I love the color red?  Ocean Springs has lovely oak lined streets. A perfect spot for a drive or to catch a glimpse of a favorite vehicle from the past.

Why don’t you make plans to visit us next year?  The Mississippi Gulf Coast offers friendly people, fabulous food, terrific October weather, historic homes, a rich history, and breathtaking scenery.  Why not tour the entire state while you are here?   If you are a blogger, I know you are inspired by wonderful writers.  Mississippi is also known for its prolific writers...William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Tennesse Williams, Shelby Foote, John Grisham, and Willie Morris,  just to name a few.   Come and spend a few days or better yet a week with us! I believe you will find Mississippi a charming place to visit.  For more information about this fabulous event, check out the official website at the link listed below


I am also linking to these terrific blogs!


Labels:

Comments

  1. ClaudiaOctober 13, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    I'm so glad you linked up! I love vintage cars, too, and these are real beauties! What a wonderful event this is - so much to see and do. Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful photos with us.

    xo
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Life at Still WoodsOctober 13, 2012 at 6:05 PM

    It is a great family event. The residents of the coast look forward to the visitors each year! Come and visit next time!

    ReplyDelete
  3. DianeOctober 13, 2012 at 6:14 PM

    Fun post! Yes, I remember hand-crank windows! How about the "button" to pull up or down to lock/unlock the door? And now that I think of it, was it that long ago we needed a key to unlock from the outside? I better stop before I start to feel REALLY old!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Life at Still WoodsOctober 13, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    Hi Diane! I forgot about the button knob! What about the hump in the middle of the floor? That was the "do not cross this line" symbol of our car! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chenille CottageOctober 13, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    What a blast! Your photo of the bright red car caught my eye...I am a RED lover in a big way!
    thanks for sharing the brightly colors cars...Oh, that purple one!
    Smiles,
    Carolynn

    ReplyDelete
  6. Life at Still WoodsOctober 13, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    From one red lover to another, glad you enjoyed the post and brightly colored cars. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 13, 2012 at 9:18 PM

    It's great to see all of these vintage cars driving up and down the MS Gulf Coast.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sarah ~ Magnolias AtticOctober 14, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    Oh my, that purple truck is fabulous!! I love vintage cars -- I'm fascinated by the hood ornaments! That GTO brings back memories -- it was one cool car at the time! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm definitely following back : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 18, 2012 at 7:04 AM

      Don't you just love that purple truck! I asked by husband to find something pink, but this was the closest he found that night! Thank you for visiting Still Woods and for following! Have a great day!

      Delete
  9. Sue FrelickOctober 14, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    I remember the crank windows and button locks too. And don't forget the little switch on the floor that you had to push with your foot to dim the headlights. Great memories...great post :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 18, 2012 at 7:02 AM

      My mom and I talked about all the features on the vintage cars! Forgot about the dimmer switch! Thank you for stopping by Still Woods. Come back soon!
      Blessings from Still Wooods

      Delete
  10. AnonymousOctober 14, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog and your sweet comment. I love those old cars too, reminds me of my childhood ;) Well, I don't exactly remember them but I've seen pics of myself next to a very old-timey black car. Sounds like y'all had fun. Wish you were in Virginia this October to see the pretty leaves, they're not at peak yet but getting there. Hugs ~ Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 18, 2012 at 6:59 AM

      Hi Mary,
      So glad you came for a visit at Still Woods. As we say in the south, don't be a stranger...meaning come back often! I was telling another blogger that the first car I remember was our 1961 shiny red Ford! I have similar pictures standing by "Henry". Henry actually traveled to Puerto Rico to be with us while my dad was stationed there! Great memories! Enjoy the beautiful fall color...I bet peak season will be in VA soon!

      Delete
  11. JoAnn SweetPepperRoseOctober 14, 2012 at 6:48 PM

    Your hubby took some great photos! Love anything RED!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 18, 2012 at 6:54 AM

      Me too! I think red makes such a statement. The first car I remember is my dad's bright red 1961 Ford. He called it Henry (Henry Ford!). Thank you for stopping by. Come back soon!

      Delete
  12. UnknownOctober 14, 2012 at 8:43 PM

    Fantastic post! The vintage cars have been just wonderful this week and how special it is that Biloxi First Baptist sponsors their cruising event complete with entertainment and food. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. The cars and pictures bring back dear memories. I drove my Daddy's 56 Chevy to junior college and it was so pretty.I saw a few of them this week. Also Dad still had his 50 Chevy when we got married in 1959 and we even drove it to Texas. Those were absolutely "Happy Days."

    ReplyDelete
  13. Call Me PMcOctober 22, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    I love old cars!! You have a great site! Following on GFC now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 25, 2012 at 8:35 PM

      Thanks for following! I do love old cars. They just have such character! Thank you for your sweet comments!

      Delete
  14. must love junkOctober 23, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    What a fun, colorful post! I'm your newest follower-I'd love you to visit :)
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life at Still WoodsOctober 25, 2012 at 8:36 PM

      Hi Susan,
      I just dropped by "must love junk" and I love your site! Left you a comment and am your newest follower! Looking forward to visiting often!
      Blessings from Still Woods

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I had planned to share my new front door decor, but alas, like many residents of the MS Gulf Coast, all  loose outside objects have been secured as we await the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. Instead, I thought I would share with you a set of my favorite dinnerware.  I began collecting Memory Lane ironstone many years ago, but my love of the pattern began when I was just a little girl.  My Grandma Mercer had one dinner plate.  I imagine that she picked it up either in a box of laundry soap or as a reward for shopping at the IGA of Chattahoochee, Florida.  I came to love her one plate.  My grandmother would make sure that my food was served on that plate no matter what other dinnerware pattern was set on her table!  When she passed away, I was blessed to receive her dining room set which included a lovely buffet with glass knobs along with the matching table and chairs.  I also received my Memory Lane plate. During my search for more pattern pieces...
35 comments
Read more

Quarantine Reno: The Butler's Pantry/Laundry Room

Good morning everyone! I wanted to share with you a major renovation which Mr. Still Woods and I accomplished during the quarantine. I have been feeling a huge push to simplify not only my life, but our home as well.  I started with reorganizing room by room and donating items we no longer use. After that was accomplished, I began thinking. My husband says that my thinking is always dangerous and usually means a lot of work for him! So let me tell you how this all started.  I have a large pantry in the kitchen with pull out drawers and deep shelves. While it holds tons of pantry items, I was always complaining because items tend to meander to the back of the shelves. When you need a flashlight to see what's in your pantry, you know its too large.  So I decided that I wanted to relocate our pantry into a free standing, shallow unit.  We sat down and drew up a plan we were both happy with.  As with most plans, our plan got altered along the way.  What was to ...
7 comments
Read more

Patriotic Tablescapes

I was perusing the internet for a little 4th of July tablescape inspiration.  Wow...are there some wonderful ideas for any Yankee Doodle Dandy table.  Let's take a look! I love the blog Between Naps on the Porch.  She has a gift for setting a beautiful table.  This one is set with solids of red, white, and blue.  The tall lanterns also lend a patriotic flair and really make the setting cozy. I love the entire setting in this photo from The Gathering of Friends.  The house and yard phtograph beautifully.  Those red chairs really pop! Looks like a great place to entertain and watch fireworks. Tampa Homebody has incorporated some of my favorite glassware into her table setting.  American Fostoria and blue Cape Cod glass make this a festive display. Doesn't this make you want to pull up a chair?  The centerpiece is simple, but quite lovely.  I am crazy about checkered prints.  Super cute from Stone Gable! This is just prec...
10 comments
Read more