The History of the Evanston Car Cruise
The summer of 1988 found four hot rod “junkies” talking about starting a local car club where guys with the same interests could get together and work on their street rods, share ideas and skills, go cruising and to car shows and just hang out.
In July of 1988, they started Small Town Toys with five charter members — Ray Landry, Cole Deister, Steve Folliet, Russ Easton and Rick Ludwick, along with their wives. New members were nominated by the charter members, then voted on by the group, after a month’s “get to know you” period. There was a small membership fee and club jackets for members designed by Rick Ludwick.
Cars had to be 20 years or older to qualify. This was set up as a family-oriented club.
During the colder months, the guys worked on their cars and helped each other in their shops. As a club we also got together for holiday parties -- Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc.
During one of our winter meetings, Gordon Marrs was a guest and he was interested in a fund raiser for the Special Olympics kids in Evanston. He purposed a Car Show to be put on by our club for street rodders in this area to raise funds for this project. So began the Annual Evanston Charity Car Show in the summer of 1989.
In the mid 1990’s Gary Harvey was working at a local car dealership in Evanston and admired the cars and members of our “local” car club, "Small Town Toys" and especially the car show that they held annually at Hamblin Park in August each summer. As a dealership sales manager and an amateur promoter, Gary approached the members of Small Town Toys to hold a “mini” car show, with food and awards at the dealership each spring. The event was a total success for both parties each year, and enjoyed by all in the community. Unfortunately, an internal problem developed within the car club and Small Town Toys was no more.
As a non-club member, Gary felt that it was a shame for good friendships and people to melt away. With some help from founding Small Town Toys member and good friend Russ Easton, a few changes were made and with a simple new edict addressing a past issue and charity for glue, they both felt that new life could easily be breathed into the club again.
Fortunately, most members just jumped right in, and the re-born car club's first new season held two car shows. DJ-ing the shows for several years was done by David B Smith from Evanston's local radio station KEVA. Later Donna Simpson was able to help the car club obtain the services of JC Hackett and his rock n roll racket, and JC is still spinning the wax and emceeing the car show today.
A very important tool, a 5O1 (C)3 IRS classification was undertaken by club member Sheila Hockett. This was accomplished, and with support from Jim Davis of the Urban Renewal committee. a meeting place for the club was also arranged. Dennis Poppinga from the Evanston Parks and Rec. helped secure an annual date at Hamblin Park to hold our car show, the annual "Show 'N' Shine."
Many local business owners sponsor and support the car show and club in many ways. 2016 will be the 21st annual Evanston Car Cruise car show. and as always, it will be held on the first Saturday in August in Hamblin Park.
All of the car club members are volunteers and their only pay is in the satisfaction of providing a much needed charity in their home town for the needy local school kids here in Evanston.
Compiled By
Russ and Cindy Easton
Gary Harvey
Kerry McIntyre
