What a night it was for car enthusiasts and just those longing for some nostalgia as more than 35 cars and trucks, some vintage, some classic rolled into the square in Mountain Grove as the Southern Cruisers along with Holifield’s Old Fashion Soda Fountain at Mountain Grove Pharmacy sponsored the Back to School Cruise-In. The event was a potpourri of automobiles, trucks, hot rods and more along with some family-friendly activities such as the dunking booth, face painting and bounce house. Music from days gone by blasted the square as many young and old attendees took to dancing. Tammy and her crew at Holifield’s Old Fashion Soda Fountain served up some traditional fair food while cooling many down with their array of ice cream flavors.
Cruise-in participants came from many Ozark towns including Hartville, Licking, Salem, Willow Springs, West Plains, Alton and Gentryville as well as those homegrown owners from Mountain Grove. After a couple of hours, prizes were awarded and trophies were handed out by Jasper Engines, of Willow Springs.
Awards went to:
Tammy’s Choice-1946 red Studebaker M5 truck owned by Bob Berry, of Gentryville
President’s Choice-1969 Daytona yellow Chevy Camero SS, owned by Victor Allen, of Mansfield
Best Rod-Thompson’s Rod Shop orange Chevy truck owned by Jolene Davis
Best Chevy-Maroon Chevy step-side dually truck a.k.a.”Woodie,” owned by Eric Noheiem
Best Ford-1956 Ford Sunliner (Fairlane), a convertible with a Continental kit owned by Norman Dixon, of Licking
Best of the Rest-Blue Studebaker Champion owned by Tom Delavirar
Best GM- Dacy Collins’ Silver GTO
Best Mopar-2017 Yellow Dodge Charger RT owned by Josh Virtue, of Mountain Grove
Best Under Construction-1938 Chevy car primered by Darryl Montague
Many other classy looking cars and trucks could be seen, but not all can be winners. The Southern Cruisers will make their next stop on Sep. 12 in Cabool.
