It will be another ‘classic’ weekend in Clear Lake

Another month.  Another huge event in Clear Lake.

This weekend marks the 33rd annual Clear Lake Auto Social Society (C.L.A.S.S.) Summer Dance Cruise and Car Show.  Going all weekend long, the event is one that car enthusiasts travel from near and far to see and participate in.  Clear Lake hotels and motels are booked almost a year ahead for the August weekend, which offers not only a cruise around the lake of four-wheel beauties, but dances with live music, meet and greets with the car owners and a show with a $500 top prize and trophies.

“This event is so popular because it’s situated around a beautiful downtown park, where there are things to do, a lake to enjoy, and welcoming merchants,” said C.L.A.S.S. Club President Kirk Kraft.  “It’s a great weekend for the people who have cars, as well as the public that enjoys seeing them.”

The weekend kicks off with a cruise around the lake on Friday.  Classic car owners will begin to gather at Kingland Systems, 1401 6th Ave. S., Clear Lake, about 3 p.m.   The cars will then travel around Clear Lake starting at 5:30 p.m.  Last year more than 800 cars took part in the cruise and even more are expected this year, according to C.L.A.S.S. members.

The popularity of the cruise is a bit of a double-edged sword for the local car club.  Last year a driver, who had jumped into the cruise along the route, lost control of his vehicle while doing a “burn out” and careened out of control, striking several parked cars and narrowly missing those sitting along the road watching the procession.

“There will be a good, or better, police and county law enforcement presence along the route to hopefully remind everyone to be safe,” said Kraft.  If it is safe to pull over a vehicle for doing a burn out, they will do it.  If they can only take a plate number, they will, and followup with it on Saturday.  We want people to have fun, but be safe.”

In addition to reminding drivers to be safe, Kraft also stresses the public needs to be mindful of safety and respect the machines and their owners.

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C.L.A.S.S. discourages crowds from egging on drivers to do burn outs.  Those admiring the vehicles should also remember to stay out of the road Friday and especially keep an eye on children who might be tempted to run out for candy (which drivers are prohibited from throwing).  Kraft stressed that during the cruise the lane of traffic not being used by the featured vehicles remains open to regular traffic.    

“It’s all fun until someone gets in an accident,” Kraft added.

After the cruise Friday night, a dance at the Surf Ballroom will feature music from the 1950s and 60s played by Dick Dale and The White Sidewalls from 7:45 p.m. to midnight.  Those participating in the cruise receive two complimentary tickets to the Surf show with their $5 admission fee to the cruise.  The general public is invited to attend the show, with tickets available at the door.

Saturday morning Main Avenue from 8th Street to the lake and one block north and south on 3rd, 4th and fifth streets, will be closed to traffic starting about 8 a.m.  The car show will be held around Clear Lake City Park, with registration set for 8 a.m. to 11:30 and a Show and Shine planned for noon to 3 p.m. Spectator admission to the car show is free.

Kraft estimates that just one-third of the cars in the cruise will be displayed in Saturday’s show.

“People should remember that these vehicles represent quite and investment for most of the owners.  They have a great deal of time and pride in their paint jobs and we don’t want to risk an inadvertent touch or scratch damaging a car, so we ask for no bikes, skateboards or pets to be in the car show area,” explained Kraft.

Saturday evening free musical entertainment will be provided by Coupe DeVille on the City Park Bandshell stage.  All are invited to attend the concert from 6:30-10 p.m.

“C.L.A.S.S. stands for Clear Lake Auto Social Society, so we invite everyone to come to the park to welcome our guests and we thank the community for supporting this event,” added Kraft.

C.L.A.S.S. donates proceeds from its Car Cruise and Show for local scholarships and community projects.

The route for Friday’s cruise

Friday night’s Car Cruise around the lake will begin at Kingland Systems, 1401 6th Ave. S., at 5:30 p.m. The procession will travel on 6th Avenue South to South Shore Drive, then turn left and proceed on South Shore to Camp Tanglefoot, then go south to County Road B-35, turn right and travel to County Road S-14, turn right and proceed into Ventura, turn right at the four-way stop sign, travel east on Lake Street and North Shore Drive to 4th Avenue North in Clear Lake.  Drivers will turn right onto 4th Avenue and then left onto North Lakeview Drive to City Park, then take South Shore Drive to 4th Avenue South and disperse.

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