Waynesburg to host 50s fest, car cruise
WAYNESBURG – Downtown Waynesburg will return to the 1950s Saturday.
Poodle skirts and bobby socks will be the style; the sounds of ’50s rock ‘n roll will fill the air and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles will line the curb.
It will all be a part of the 15th annual ’50s Fest and Car Cruise, an event which will begin at 10 a.m. and run through 4 p.m.
“If it’s a sunny day, usually we’ll see close to 200 vehicles,” said Shelly Brown, co-chairman of the event and chairman of the promotions committee of Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful, which organizes the annual festival.
A family event, spectators can wander up and down High Street and get an up-close look at vintage cars and trucks, muscle cars and tricked-out motorcycles.
“One of the things that makes the ’50s fest and car cruise unique as a car event,” Brown said, “is that we close down the street to traffic.”
Most car cruises are held in places like parking lots or fields, she said, but for the ’50s fest, High Street is closed to traffic and cars line the curb.
It’s kind of like it was in the old days, Brown said, “when people really did go down and cruise the downtown.”
There is no admission and no registration fee for vehicles.
The “Greene County Greaser,” Doug Wilson of WANB Radio, who also is co-chairman of the event, will be playing a special edition of classic ’50s music from the courthouse steps all day.
The event also will include dance contests, hula hooping and bubble gum blowing. Door prizes will be presented, along with raffles and other giveaways.
Most downtown merchants and specialty shops also will be open for the day and offering ’50s Fest specials.
Those who plan to attend also are encouraged to dress in their “best” ’50s style.
All exhibitors who enter a vehicle in the event will receive a collectible dash magnet.
This year’s magnet features the 1925 American LaFrance type 75 pumper owned by the Waynesburg Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co. It was the company’s first and was purchased in March 1926.
A collectible ’50s Fest T-shirt also is available for sale. It features a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, owned by cruise participant Bryan Cole of Bluff Ridge, drawn by local artist Colleen Nelson.