More than 1,000 rip-roaring, tire-squealing hot rods and classic cars took part in the Cruise to the Woods car show Sunday, so many that it overfilled the town of Stratford.
"We ran out of room in Stratford, every street was two and three (cars) abreast," said Barb Briggs, of WC Cruisers which organizes the event. "We think this might be a record year."
Proclaimed as Iowa's largest cruise/car show, the event has drivers coming from nine separate cruise routes from as far as Cedar Rapids to Fairmont, Minn. The routes converge in Stratford and then drive on to the Webster County Fairgrounds.
"If you've ever been on it it's kind of a thrill. You're driving down the road, you've got people waving at you," said Barb Briggs, "As far ahead as you can see there's cars, it's really cool."
It's the cruise that sets this event apart from other car shows, and it's what has made the show so popular, said WC President Heath Briggs.
"You've seen some other shows around here, but they only get around 50 to 60 cars," he said. "Cars are meant to drive and have a good time."
Heath Briggs said the Cruise to the Woods started out small, with about 50 cars, and has grown into 1000 car plus event with the popularity of the cruise that winds drivers through Dolliver Park.
The show also had a number of smaller events incorporated into the cruise including a swap meet, crafts show and grand prize drawing for a 42-inch plasma screen TV and a 60 gallon C'AIRE industrial air compressor.
"It's completely different than any other show around," said Barb Briggs.
Contact Ian Schmit at (515) 573-2141 or ischmit@messengernews.net
