For the Class of 2016 at Escalon High School – graduating on Friday night – the Escalon Lions Club provided a total of 20 $1,500 scholarships.
That’s a major amount of cash, noted Club member John Salvin, who was on hand as the Lions offered their first of the season Friday night car cruise gatherings at Hula’s along Jackson Avenue.
The pre-Autumn Cruise events each Friday night are a small sampling of the larger show to come in September, said Salvin, and it is through the Autumn Cruise that the scholarship money is raised.
“That was $30,000 that we were able to provide in scholarships,” Salvin said, noting that the annual cruise has continued to grow and flourish over the years.
The cruise is set this year for Saturday, Sept. 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in and around the Main Street Park in downtown Escalon.
There are over 70 separate awards in addition to vendors, prize drawings throughout the day, the show and shine, car judging, music and more.
DJ Gene Adams was on scene for the initial Friday night cruise as well, offering classic tunes and information about various shows upcoming around the region, including this weekend’s ‘graffiti’ festivities in neighboring Modesto.
As far as the weekly show at Hula’s, Salvin said they will be there every Friday night (except July 4 weekend) as the summer goes on, with the show open to all interested that want to come in and display their vehicles.
Among those on hand this week was Herman Boone of Farmington, who had his 1933 Dodge Convertible Coupe on display.
“It was a basket case when I got it,” he said while polishing up a gleaming headlight. “The body was rusted out, the motor had frozen up, the tires were flat.”
But plenty of elbow grease, ingenuity and determination converted the convertible into a showpiece.
“I do everything myself,” Boone added of restoring the Dodge. “It took about six years.”
It also isn’t the only vintage auto he has to display and Boone anticipates being a regular at the Friday night gatherings.
Salvin said these ‘pre-cruise’ events run from 5 p.m. to about 7 p.m. each week and provide the perfect backdrop for sharing stories and enjoying the camaraderie of the classic car enthusiasts.
