Downtown Columbia came alive last Saturday as more than 150 classic cars, trucks and motorcycles were part of the Main Street Cruise-In that ended with a huge fireworks show.
The Cruise-In is a monthly event downtown that has been occurring on the first Saturday each month. This year’s event drew cars Columbia to as much as four hours away.
“It was great,” Main Street Director Nik Ingram said. “It was such a success and everybody had a good time. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback.”
But organizers won’t rest on the accomplishments of one weekend, according to Ingram.
“We sat down today (Monday) and talked about next year,” he said. “We talked about the dynamics and how we can create an event that makes Columbia a center for unique things.”
Saturday’s event was special for a number of reasons, according to Ingram.
“The coolest thing is that all of the talent came from Columbia, form the entertainment to the fireworks,” he said. “It (car show) was right here in Columbia for the rest of the world to see. We would love to see more sports and event to show to everyone.”
Mark Carithers, who helped organize the Cruise-In, was impressed with the turnout.
“I think today was a big showing of our community and the sponsors and people that are behind it,” he said. “It was everyone that made this show what it was; the vendors, sponsors and just Columbia in general. They came out and they showed out.”
Maria Temples, another one of the volunteer organizers of the event said she’s been amazed at how the event has grown.
“It’s grown from seven cars to 152 tonight,” she said. “It has been a great turnout with great fellowship. Everybody seemed to enjoy it. Everybody I talked to tonight said, ‘See you again next month.’ They want to come back.”
The next Cruise-In will coincide with a planned cleanup day around the city, according to Ingram.
“Aug. 5 has been set for the cleanup,” he said. “We’re also looking at things that we can have for the kids to do at the Cruise-In, maybe something to help send them back to school. We want to make this good old hometown fun.”
Newly inaugurated Columbia Mayor Justin McKenzie said he heard many positives from the event.
“I took time out to visit most of the merchants and ask them how they were doing Saturday and they were all smiles,” he said. “They had done well, and that’s the purpose of Main Street, to promote downtown. We had a lot of positive feedback. I heard good things about the event. Plans are already under way for next year. We hope to continue to grow it. It is a unique way to draw so many people to activities downtown.”
McKenzie thank the Columbia Fire Department, Columbia Police Department, Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department and all of the other law enforcement and first responders that helped make the event a success.
“It was a really good start for the new Board and administration,” he said. “It was all made possible by Mayor Robert Bourne and the previous Board of Aldermen. I want to say a big thank you to them, seeing as how this event was so successful.”
McKenzie added that there were many more thank yous to go around.
“I believe that the Cruise-In was a huge success,” he concluded. “Thank you to all of the people that put it all together from Nik Ingram to the Columbia Gearheads and Pine Belt Cruisers. Earl Turnage went above and beyond and I really want to thank all of the businesses that offered people the opportunity to shop downtown. When I think about that event (Cruise-In), community pride comes to mind. I was very proud to be from Columbia.”
Pictured Above: Sparky from the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department interacts with children during the Cruise-In. | Photo by Mark Rogers
