FRANKLIN
Automobile aficionados rejoice! The 2018 Franklin Cruise-In season starts its engine beginning April 18, and will be driving into the Main Street parking lot downtown each Wednesday through Sept. 5. Show hours are from 5 to 8 p.m.

This will be open to antique, classic, custom-made, motorcycles and contemporary speciality vehicles, and is free to both participants and visitors, said co-organizer Mike Smith.

Since its beginning with three cars in 2014, he said, the display has grown to an average of 120 vehicles per week, with 417 specialty ones at the 2017 Grand Finale.

The Cruise-In is sponsored by Bobby’s Tire and Auto Care, and also a part of Blackwater Community Events. Smith said the non-profit organization’s mission is to “Organize meaningful events to connect the lives of those living in the Blackwater River communities in order to make them better places to live, work and play.”

For people who bring their chariots for viewing, free entries will be available to win $1,000 in each of the following categories: Vehicles before 1972; vehicles from 1972; and vehicles in unique categories, such as golf carts, motorcycles, pickup trucks.

In other words, said Smith, “Anything cool.”

There will also be giveaways for Monster Energy drinks, and 50/50 raffle drawings will take place weekly. Free hot dogs for people with participating vehicles will be available from Fred’s Restaurant.

All good things will have to come to an end, and this year’s closing event will happen on Saturday, Sept. 8. That’s when prizes will be awarded. New this year will be a raffle for a custom golf cart.

Also added in 2018, both Blackwater Community Events and Franklin Cruise-In will be awarding the Casey Rich Scholarship.

“We are looking to give an aspiring student a $5,000 scholarship toward furthering education in the field for which they have a passion,” Smith said, adding that more information will available later.

He foresees the Cruise-In growing even more this year, and an advisory board is being formed to help guide that expansion.

Furthermore, Smith said, “We are looking for volunteers who are willing to meet afterward and help facilitate the growth of Franklin Cruise-In. If you would like to get involved, send an email to FranklinCruiseIn@yahoo.com.”

People may also contact him at 438-2981 or Ray Smith at 621-8956 or visit the Facebook page for Franklin Cruise-In.