By Darlene Brace
For several years, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce had coordinated the Downtown Jamestown Cruise-in. However, this year, the Chamber had decided not to continue the event, which disappointed many residents. After some discussions, it is a pleasure to announce that the cruise-in will once again light up our streets and still take place this summer, marking the 32nd annual Downtown Jamestown Cruise-in. The event will be held downtown on August 15th from 5pm-9pm. My CHQ and Wicked Warren’s Jamestown have stepped up to take charge of organizing this event, ensuring that this beloved community tradition continues.
The cruise-in a free event for the public to attend as a spectator. As you walk the downtown streets gazing at all the cars, you will be amazed by the wide variety of classic cars, hot rods, and other impressive vehicles, both old and new. The cruise-in is typically one of the largest summer events in downtown Jamestown, and it’s always well attended. Whether you’re a car owner showing off your pride and joy or a spectator enjoying the sights, you surely will have a great time.
To enter your car in the cruise-in, you must register it, and the fee is $15 on the day of the event. You can preregister online at cruiseinjyny.com and the preregistration is discounted to $10 with a $5 coupon toward a pizza at Wicked Warrens Jamestown. If the event is cancelled because of rain, you will be refunded your fee, and you can still use the $5 coupon. You can preregister online until August 14th at 11:59pm.
All the registered cars will line the streets of Third Street between Washington and Spring Streets, as well as on Cherry Street, North Main, and Pine Street between Second and Fourth Streets. To ensure everyone’s safety, this area will be blocked off to traffic at 3pm. The only entrance for cars registered to be in the cruise-in will be near the Reg Lenna at the corner of Third Street and Spring Street.
For many years, live music has been a cruise-in staple as part of the entertainment. This year, however, there will not be a band, but instead DJ Carmello will be spinning tunes throughout the cruise-in, at the corner of Third Street and North Main. He will play a variety of music, ensuring there will be something for everyone to enjoy. The speakers will be positioned in all directions, allowing the music to be heard throughout most of the cruise-in area.
This year, there are not going to be many food vendors at the event. The hope is to encourage everyone attending the cruise-in to support the downtown area businesses for food and beverages. Many bars and restaurants will be open, and you are encouraged to stop by. Some downtown restaurants that are expected to be open include The Taco Company, Sauce, and The Pub on North Main, as well as Wicked Warren’s Jamestown and Hotspot Café on Third Street. You may also want to visit places like the Cherry Lounge for some delicious wings or Haggy’s 4 Below for a cold adult beverage, among others.
Besides restaurants and bars, many of the other retail businesses are likely to stay open past their usual hours for those who wants to stop in to browse and do a little shopping. This may include (but not limited to) shops like CHQ Plus, Dots Gift Boutique, and Art, Cloth and Craft that are located on Third Street.
This year marks the first time My CHQ and Wicked Warren’s Jamestown are coordinating this event, and they could still use some assistance. They are accepting applications for some vendors and are looking to secure additional sponsors. For all the latest updates and more details about the cruise-in, be sure to check out cruiseinjyny.com or visit its Facebook page.
So, mark your calendar for the Downtown Jamestown Cruise-in taking place on August 15th. This fun community event brings people together in the heart of Jamestown. You can take a leisurely stroll through the downtown area to admire a fantastic selection of cars while supporting local small businesses that will be open. It will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy a beautiful summer evening with friends, family, and fellow car enthusiasts. Whether you have a vintage classic or a shiny new ride, you are invited to polish your car, rev up your engine, and show off your vehicle at the Downtown Jamestown Cruise-in.