Lombard Cruise Nights to begin June 2
LOMBARD, Illinois—“I love Cruise Nights for the cars, of course, and for the entertainment and for the people, but especially for the young people and the families coming together not just for the cars and entertainment but for the simple pleasure of sharing a Village experience with others,” said Glen Ellyn resident Len Farina, Lombard Cruise Nights volunteer and attendee.
Lombard Cruise Nights will begin its 14th season on June 2 with its traditional “Welcome Back Weekend.”
“Lombard Cruise Nights is great for so many reasons but I believe it is mainly the people. The people who make it happen and have for quite a while now, the people who come out with their prized automotive treasures, the people who come out to see them and often are given a chance to share tales (some actually true) about the cars with their owners; these are the heart and soul of our Cruise Nights. The fact that so many people much younger than the sheet metal on display are given a chance to see up close what our automotive history looks like, sounds like and smells like, that to me is a critical part of appreciating not only the efforts of the countless individuals who designed, built and tested these vehicles, but in a sense a great lesson in the history of the automobile in America and Lombard and how it has shaped all our lives and so continues to do,” said Farina.
Cruise nights will be held every Saturday from June 2 through August 25, except for July 7. Classic cars are invited to park along St. Charles Road from Main Street to Elizabeth, which is the main thoroughfare for the event. Cars are also invited to park along Park Avenue and in several parking lots within the “cruise zone” along St. Charles Road.
Cruise nights run from 6-10 p.m. and will feature a new community stage, funded by Lombard Hotel/Motel tax dollars. The entertainment schedule is as follows:
June 2 Welcome Back Weekend! Featuring “Flashback ‘50s” D.J.
June 9 “The White Saddle Band”
June 16 “Bossy Dog”
June 23 “BJ the DJ”
June 30 Mayor's Night, featuring “Stockwood—World's Youngest Beatles Tribute Band”
July 7 No Organized Cruisin'
July 14 “The StingRays”
July 21 “Flashback ‘50s” DJ
July 28 “Cryan' Shames”
August 4 “The Chauffeurs”
August 11 “LTD”
August 18 “Flashback ‘50s” DJ
August 25 “Local Favorite”
Cruiser Appreciation Weekend
“It's really great to see the positive and dramatic change in our downtown from our first Cruise Night 14 years ago, recalled Lombard resident Glenn Foster, one of the founding fathers of Lombard's event. “Seeing Lombard Cruise Night T-shirts being worn by people in other states really make you feel proud,” Foster added. Foster has both a 1933 Chevy and a 1970 Jaguar XKE that he shows off on Saturdays in Lombard as well as other nights at neighboring car shows.
A Cruise Night favorite of new T-shirts returns this season with a custom design by Lombardian Rich Carsley. Carsley designed the shirt based on input from the Cruise Night Committee. The shirts will be sold for $10 each or $12 for 2XL. Limited quantities are available and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
“Lombard Cruise Nights is a family affair,” said Rich Uczen of Villa Park, who usually frequents Cruise Nights with his wife and grandchildren. “It's fun to bring my car, good eats and friendly people,” he said.
For more information on Cruise Nights, please contact Joelyn Kott, Communications Coordinator at (630) 620-5718. A copy of the schedule may also be found on the Village website “Quick Links” at www.villageoflombard.org.