Great weather creates successful River Park Cruisers car show, cruise and dance Saturday
The River Park Cruisers had 202 classic cars registered in the 19th annual event on Saturday, Sept. 17. Cars came from East Moline, Ill., Galena, Ill., Rochester, Minn., Clear Lake, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Sumner, Dubuque, Manchester and Des Moines, and many towns in between.
Before the 50/50 drawing site on River Park Drive of three lucky winners, Bob and Donna Hinzman were surprised by the car club directors and club members who presented them with a plaque stating "25 years of Dedicated Leadership of The River Park Cruisers" and also given a beautiful embroidered throw blanket. Bob and Donna started and still continue today as the leaders of the club, bringing membership from eight couples in 1992 to 73 couples in 2016.
Following Saturday's car show, participants cruised over the hills of northeast Iowa, viewed the scenery and received cheers from the many groups of people sitting out along the car cruise route.
The cruise stopped in Garnavillo for a pit stop at the beautiful new Garnavillo Fire Station, where the firemen served brats and burgers to the many hungry cruisers (there were approximately 250 cars). Then it was back into Guttenberg and up to Lakeside Ballroom where 72 trophies were awarded to class winners, as well as six specialty trophies including Mayors Choice.
The Best of Show trophy went to Gary and Sandy Quade; Best Ford to Mike Schmalz of Dubuque; best GM to Jerry Rave of Manchester, and Best Mopar to Tod and Dyanne Pralle.
After the trophy give away, many dancers danced the night away in Lakeside Ballroom, with music by "Endless Summer."
"Now we will start planning for our 20th year of the annual Car Show and Cruise. Watch your papers, flyers and news media for details of planning our 2017 event," invite the Hinzmans.
