83 Spectacular Images from Cruisin’ the Coast

 

Like all of us here at HOT ROD, you're probably bummed that much of the summer's car activities have been canceled, with HOT ROD Power Pour and Drag Week being just two of the casualties closest to home. It seems like every day we hear about more events being canceled, but one event we've been watching very carefully is the 24th Annual Cruisin' the Coast event, held each year on the Redneck Riviera; that's the South coast of Mississippi for the uninitiated.

According to the folks at Cruisin' the Coast, this year's 2020 event is still on for October 4-11, and if you feel like firing up your hot rod and coming down to join the party, registration will be on location. Early bird registration closed August 15, and it costs just $90 for the whole shebang, including a chance to win Cruisin' the Coast's customized 1932 Ford roadster. (You can check out the latest info at CruisinTheCoast.com, or download the schedule here.)

As Southerners know, October is the time to visit the Gulf Coast, with its balmy weather, luffing breezes, and shirt-sleeve temperatures providing East Coasters one of the last chances to enjoy their street machines before putting them away for the long winter. Whether it's Gulfport, Biloxi, or Pascagoula, there's plenty of quality scenery, friendly people, and great food to enjoy, in addition to Cruisin' the Coast.

Last year, our contact at Optima Batteries, Jim McIlvaine, was kind enough to capture the flavor of the event with this spectacular 88-image gallery. If you're scratching your head wondering why so many happenings are represented in this photo gallery, that's because Cruisin' the Coast plans so many events within their event that it's hard for one person to attend all of them. Like Jim, you'll have to choose from a range of activities including: cruise-ins; the Vicari Auto Auction swap meet; car corral; the flame-throwing competition; vehicle parade; burnouts; block party; sock hop; special appearances by Cristy Lee (All Girls Garage, Garage Squad), Joe and Amanda Martin (Iron Resurrection), Dennis Gage (My Classic Car), and Courtney Hansen (Overhaulin); and no fewer than 21 bands on different stages along the coast. There's also lots of casino action if you're a high roller.

This might be your last and only chance to fire it up in 2020, so do yourself a favor after you check the photos, and mark your calendar for Cruisin' the Coast today. You'll be glad to know organizers are working diligently to update the show information regarding the pandemic and many important safety measures are being put into place for 2020—all they need is you!