On Saturday, food, music and libations will serve as the headliners.
On Friday, they gathered on College Avenue to celebrate engines and artistry.
License to Cruise kicked off Octoberfest weekend, bringing out crowds to walk among the finest collector cars in the region stretching from one end of Downtown Appleton to the other.
“It’s about the cars, but it’s also about the people,” said Appleton’s Jim Berg, who brought out his 1934 Chevy street rod. “You see people you haven’t seen all year.”
License to Cruise celebrated GM as the feature vehicles of the year.
It was a thinner show than some of past years due to the early evening rain, though it didn’t disappoint. The skies cleared, the temperatures were pleasant and car talk dominated the curb lines.
The curiosity and the conversations are among Mike Konow’s favorite aspects of the hobby. The Winchester resident brought his 1962 Plymouth Belvedere. He enjoys it when his car sparks memories.
But as for the best part of the hobby?
“When you’re driving down the road, and you see heads turn … what’s that?” he said.
License to Cruise gave enthusiasts a small taste of Saturday’s main event with live music from the Doo Wop Daddies at Houdini Plaza and performers at a number of intersections. A smaller number of food booths lured the hungry with cheese curds, kettle corn and other fun food.
The caramel apples were again a big draw. The huge, gooey, candy covered delights had buyers wondering how they’d raise any money for charity when selling for only $2.
For car guys, the chrome and all the muscle under the hoods made their eyes widen. The last Friday of September is a key date on the calendar.
It’s one of the biggest car shows of the region.
Don Goodreau of New London likes the size, the variety — from the customized to the classics — as well as the downtown environment.
“I don’t go to a lot of shows, but this is one I look forward to,” he said.
