Cruzin in Centertown

    More than 200 cars, trucks and motorcycles lined the streets of Centertown Saturday afternoon, twice what organizers had expected for the Cruzin event.

Tom Wilmoth

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Tom Wilmoth

Susan and Wesley Watson danced to the sounds of the '60s.

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Tom Wilmoth

The first Cruzin event in Centertown Bedford on Saturday brought in more than 200 vehicles and plenty of visitors wanting to look at them.

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Tom Wilmoth

"Elvis"

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Tom Wilmoth

Wayne Whitworth showed his 3-year-old grandson, Jacob Padgett, some of the cars that lined the Centertown streets.

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Tom Wilmoth

Wesley Ellis, 8, of Bedford, tries the hula hoop.

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    “All the comments we are getting are very favorable,” stated Sue Montgomery, executive director of Bedford Main Street, Inc.
    In fact, the response was so positive that it’s likely another event will be planned.
    In addition to the streets being lined with hot rods, the feel of the ‘50s and ‘60s was all around as children played with hula hoops and “Elvis” sang his hits of old. There was a bubblegum blowing contest, raffles and door prizes, donated by area merchants.
    Montgomery said the event brought visitors into many of the Centertown businesses, as well.
    “This was for the merchants,” she said. “We wanted people to learn what nice restaurants we have here.”
    By most accounts, Cruzin was a “roaring success.”
    The credit goes to the volunteers that did the work, the downtown merchants group, Montgomery stated.  “I’m just very proud of them.”
    Rachael Ellis was more than pleased.
    “It was a fantastic turnout,” the owner of Bedford County Store stated. “There were a lot more cars than we could have ever anticipated, which is fantastic.”
    Ellis said the merchants are talking with city officials about having another Cruzin event in the fall.
    “This event was sponsored by Bedford merchants and it was to benefit Bedford merchants and in that sense I think this event was very successful,” Ellis said. “All the merchants I have spoken to said it was just as good as Centerfest if not better. As the owner of the Country Store here in downtown I would have to agree that we did very well also.”
    Ellis said she can’t wait to do it again.
    “I am glad mine and Jann Sloper’s efforts along with the help of Main Street were able to put this wonderful event on for the town,” she said.