Cruisers, Cars and Crafts

The 9th annual Route 66 Cruisers Car & Motorcycle Show is set for September 23-24, 2016.

Club President Dwayne Caldwell with a Trophy Plaque he won at the Route 66 Blowout Car Show in Sapulpa.

Over 300 vintage, modified and antique cars and motorcycles are expected to cruise into Claremore on September 23 for the 9th annual Route 66 Cruisers Car & Motorcycle Show. The cruise-in begins at 6 p.m. with music and door prizes at Ne-Mar Center.
The show will kick off Friday beginning at 6 p.m. Participants will cruise down historic Route 66 to the Totem Pole Park in Foyil, where free hot dogs, courtesy of Akdar Shrine, will be served.
“Our club does a lot to help support Shriners Hospitals for Children,” Caldwell adds.
The children will benefit from the cruise and car show through registration fees of car owners. The Route 66 Cruisers Car Club of Claremore has donated a total of $21,900 to the Akdar Shriner’s Children’s Transportation Fund from profits from their Car Show, Swap Meet and Toy Run Cruise since 2009.
On Saturday, the family-friendly event begins at Claremore Lake. Over 40 classes of automobiles will be represented, as well as motorcycles. Drawings will continue throughout the day, and custom-built trophies will be awarded for Best Ford, GM, Mopar, Rat Rod, Best Paint and Best of Show. A gas card will be awarded for the individual who has traveled the farthest distance to participate in the show. A club participation award of $100 will also be given away.
In addition to the car show, a pin-up contest is planned.
“This is a vintage style contest harking back to the 50s era. No revealing outfits are allowed,” he adds. Trophies and cash will be awarded to the top three winners.
All awards will be announced and given away beginning at 4 p.m. “There will be something for everyone,” says Caldwell. “There will be Jupiter Jumps for the children, live music by the Bill Holden Band, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts vendors and food trucks, and the Claremore Police Department, Claremore Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department will be on hand to talk to children and hand out information. The lake is beautiful and there are plenty of shade trees, picnic tables and a playground too,” Caldwell adds. “We usually have over 5,000 spectators to our free event.”
To pre-register and be entered into a drawing for two round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines, mail your fee of $15 before September 15. On the day of the show, participants may register between 8 a.m. and noon for $20. More registration information can be found at the Route 66 Cruisers website and facebook page. Arts and crafts vendors as well as food vendors can also locate more information at the club’s website. “We usually have between 20 and 25 booths,” says Caldwell.
According to the club’s vice-president, Richard Hodges, “This is the second biggest outdoor car show in Oklahoma, and our club website has been ranked number one in the United States.”