Central Oklahoma Classic Chevy Club

Block party rocks Biloxi

Oklahoma Chevies make the news

John Dragoo of Norman, Okla., polishes the tag on his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Wednesday during the Cruisin¹ The Coast event in downtown Biloxi. John and
Kay Lynn Dragoo, David and Mahala Jones, David and Linda Reeds, Ron and
Debbie Berger, Annette and Larry Myers, Kay and Curtis Welch, and Rodney and
Martha Duerksen, were the members of the Central Oklahoma Classic Chevy Club
who made the trip this year. In previous years, as many as 21 members of the
club have come for the event.

BILOXI ­ Cruisin¹ the Coast, a nationally recognized classic car event, has expanded to an entire week of drag races, top-name '50s and '60s entertainment, automotive displays, casino activities and special events. This year¹s cruisin¹ kicked off with a pre-party on Oct. 5 and a Cruise-In at Copa Casino.

Activities filled the week, ending Oct. 12 with the grand finale hosted by traditional emcee Dennis Gage. Cruisin¹ The Coast has become a major tourism outlet for the Mississippi coast and the biggest special event in the state of Mississippi.

Car enthusiasts from more than 35 states and Canada drive to the Coast once a year to showcase and cruise a variety of antique, classic and hot rod automobiles at designated stops along the Coast, including Ocean Springs, Biloxi, D¹Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach and Bay St. Louis.

Cruisin¹ the Coast offers an opportunity for visitors to showcase their custom vehicles, view the array of antique, classic and hot rod automobiles along 26 miles of scenic Coastal beaches and the Gulf of Mexico and party with the top entertainment of the mid-20th century.

Cruisin¹ the Coast began in 1996, when the Mississippi Gulf Coast Gaming Association decided to host an event that would attract more visitors to the area. In its inaugural year, the event drew 374 registered vehicles from neighboring states. Since then, the event has grown exponentially. Cruisin¹ the Coast officials decided that the maximum number of registered vehicles will stand at 6,000 to prevent overcrowding at the popular event. The economic impact of the event has grown from $1 million to $7 million duringthe first five years and is now estimated at between $10 million and $12 million.

Other events surrounding Cruisin¹ include the annual ICA Auto Auction. Antiques, muscle cars and street rods were represented along with a contingent of European and exotic vehicles.

This year, cruisers had the opportunity to win a 1932 Ford Roadster Highboy custom built by Street Dreams Inc. of Gulfport. Raffle tickets were sold during Cruisin¹ the Coast. Other Cruisin¹ activities include at swap meet, casino poker run, drag racing, a sock hop in D¹Iberville. This year, Cruisin¹ the Coast will donate $10,000 to Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Meet Dennis Gage of My Classic Car or just kick back with your buddies and some of the locals and enjoy a cookout topped with a good helping of camaraderie, relive memories or just swap stories. Cruisin¹ The Coast is not just your average car show... it¹s a Bumper-to-Bumper Blast! 5,500 Registered cars came to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to enjoy Cruisin¹ The Coast. 19,189 attended the CTC 2003 Swap Meet. Next year¹s CTC will be October 3-10, 2004. So floor it to Cruisin¹ The Coast for a trunk full of memories and miles of fun by pre-registering today. For Cruisin¹ The Coast® information visit www.cruisinthecoast.com or call (228) 385-3847 or (888) 808-1188.