Emerald Coast Cruizin': 12th annual car show celebrates classics
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Thousands are gearing up for the 12th annual Emerald Coast Cruizin', which starts Monday before cruising into next weekend's main event at Aaron Bessant Park.
"We are up in numbers this year. Usually 25 percent of people preregister, and we are just shy of 1,000 preregistered now. We've been trying to hit the 3,000 mark and get closer and closer every year," said Robert "Rakes" Parish with Flip Flop Promotions. "We've got 'em coming from 19 states and registered in four countries — Germany, England, Australia and Canada. It's pretty neat when someone will ship their car that far off. "
The week features cruise-ins, concerts, parties, vendors, food, parades and celebrity appearances. Car enthusiasts of all ages come out to see more than 2,500 hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks and classics on display.
Pre-registration has ended, but registration will be open in front of the main event site at 10 a.m. Monday. A barricade will be set up in a "big square" in the Pier Park parking lot near Five Guys with a large tent to register vehicles, providing plenty of parking.
Though the main event is Thursday, Nov. 10, through Saturday, Nov. 12, at Aaron Bessant Park, other venues are hosting events throughout the week.
"We will be sending groups to the regular nursing homes as we have before, but on Monday, we're also going to the Veterans home," said Parrish, who served as a tanker in the U.S. Army from 1984-90.
Beginning Monday, the Car Corral across from Sharky's will have classics for sale.
"What we're seeing is people are coming and making a vacation out of the whole week. We created things at area businesses for something to do," Parrish said. "On Tuesday, there's a big deal with Sonny's BBQ, and they are going all out Wednesday at Harley. Jack Bishop (of Harpoon Harry's) is doing the welcome deal."
Capt. Anderson's, which is open for the season through Nov. 12, is doing a Capt.'s Cash Giveaway. Register for the show and bring your card into Capt. Anderson's when you dine in and receive a free bottle of wine. Then, you will be put in Saturday's drawing for a chance to win $500.
This will be the fourth year for Harley-Davidson to host Wednesday's cruiz-in. The Beach Block Party begins at 10 a.m. with classics, antique and specialty cars, pin-up girls and vendors, and a catered lunch and beer for all Emerald Coast Cruizin' registered participants.
Runaway Island is hosting the kick-off party Wednesday night.
"General Motors is coming down this year and will be set up at registration with two huge trailers, bringing the new Corvette and new Camaro," said Parrish, who added GM would be set up by Wednesday.
The rest of the 120 vendors will begin setting up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday before opening Thursday at Aaron Bessant Park.
"I know I've got something for everyone, including a women's boutique and jewelry and automotive," Parrish said. "We've got a really neat lineup of apparel for the show."
Jo Coddington, wife of the late hot rod builder and designer Boyd Coddington, will make appearances during the main event as well.
"She's a car girl and loves to get talking," Parrish said.
On Thursday night, cars will depart from Aaron Bessant Park at 5:30 p.m. for a parade through Pier Park toward Dillard's and down Pier Park Drive — led by the new official classic car for Emerald Coast Cruizin'.
"It's Veterans Day weekend; we need to help the Veterans and salute them, so we've dedicated the parade to them," Parrish said. "I had the car built for Panama City Beach, a '55 Chevy Wagon with sunset orange, Panama City Beach's colors. It has a surfboard on top. I'll be driving it around in the parades. We did it in a year. I did had a lot of help."
This year's Pier Park parade will be limited to 75 cars.
"Last year, we had over 100 cars and the front of the parade caught up to the back. They can throw out candy and run their music and lights," Parrish said. "The music is all courtesy of Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council. It will start off with the Georgia Clay Band."
The weekend concerts will feature Bowzer & The Stingrays, Rocky & The Rollers, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, Freddy Cannon and Little Peggy March.
2016 SCHEDULE
Monday, Nov. 7
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Car Corral across from Sharky's Beach Club, 15201 Front Beach Road
9:30 a .m.: Staging for cruise to retirement homes; map provided at cruise
10 a.m.: Cruise pulls out
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Car registration opens in front of event site, 600 W. Pier Park Drive
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Auction registration opens next to car registration
4 p.m. till: Cruise in with DJ spinning the oldies at Sharky's
Tuesday, Nov. 8
10 a .m. to 4 p.m.: Registration opens in front of event site
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Auction Registration opens
10 a.m.: Cruise In Party and games at Sonny's BBQ, 11341 Panama City Beach Parkway
6 p.m. till: Welcome Party at Harpoon Harry's, 12627 Front Beach Road
Wednesday, Nov. 9
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Registration opens in front of event site
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Block Party at Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach, 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway
6 p.m.: Kick off party at Runaway Island, 14521 Front Beach Road
Thursday, Nov. 10
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Registration opens at Aaron Bessant Park
8 a.m. till 5 p.m.: Event site opens at Aaron Bessant Park
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Auction Registration
1-3 p.m.: Georgia Clay Band performing on main event stage, KOTO's Oldies Show
5:15 p.m.: 'Salute to our Veterans' Parade through Pier Park pulls out at 5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.: Flame Throwing contest at Hammerhead Fred's, 8752 Thomas Drive; sign up at registration
See the Nov. 11 Entertainer for more about Emerald Coast Cruizin' and Friday and Saturday schedules.
When/Where: Nov. 7-12; main event is Nov. 10-12 at Aaron Bessant Park, 600 W. Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach
Gate Admission: $12 or three-day pass for $30; 12 and younger free with paid adult; available starting Nov. 7 at the event registration across from Aaron Bessant Park or at the event
Car Registration: $65 (covers two people); register across from Aaron Bessant Park beginning Nov. 7
Details: 662-587-9572, rbprrsh@yahoo.com or EmeraldCoastCruizin.com
Emerald Coast Cruizin'
