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Residents cruise into the holidays

West Covina resident Barry Troup prepares his 1965 Pontiac GTO for judging at the Cruzin’ La Verne Holiday Car Show Nov. 28 in Old Town La Verne. Troup first used his car for casual driving around town when he bought it in 1965, but he later repurposed it for drag races in 1994. The car features a V8 tri-power engine with a four-speed transmission. / photo by Emily Lau
West Covina resident Barry Troup prepares his 1965 Pontiac GTO for judging at the Cruzin’ La Verne Holiday Car Show Nov. 28 in Old Town La Verne. Troup first used his car for casual driving around town when he bought it in 1965, but he later repurposed it for drag races in 1994. The car features a V8 tri-power engine with a four-speed transmission. / photo by Emily Lau

Lauren Harchut
Staff Writer

Hundreds of classic cars filled Third and D streets in Old Town La Verne Saturday as the city hosted the 18th annual Cruzin’ Car Show and Toy Drive.

The event kicked off in the morning as visitors gathered around the American flag at Mainiero Square for the national anthem.

Thousands of visitors walked the streets of Old Town La Verne, scoping out the new and classic vehicles, most of which had informational flyers in the windows providing visitors with a little bit of background about the car.

“The people that come here, and the people that drive the cars are great,” said Rick Castro, who entered his original 1967 Camaro into the show. “Everyone seems to be open about what they’ve done with their car and everyone’s in a good mood.”

Many of the owners stayed close to their cars to answer questions and share stories with visitors.

“I love walking around looking at everybody’s cars and the displays, it’s a nice leisure day,” said Joe Garza, who entered his blue 1969 Camaro Super Sport into the Cruzin’ Car Show for the first time.

Along the streets of Old Town La Verne, there were also multiple food and shopping vendors selling car show shirts, toys, jewelry and paintings.

“I like that this car show is in a town instead of an arena somewhere,” said Ron Patitucci owner of a 1932 Ford Roadster.“There’s plenty of car shows but none where you get the streets and restaurants and the old town feel that this one has.”

There was also live entertainment by a band called The Swinging 8 Balls, who took the stage on the corner of Third St. and D streets playing rockabilly, classic rock, oldies and blues.

The car show was also accompanied by the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

The Fire Department is accepting new, unwrapped toys, for families who might otherwise go without gifts this holiday season, according to La Verne Fire Department Administrative Clerk Lauren Burtz.

Burtz said toys will also be distributed to La Verne non-profit organizations like David and Margaret Youth and

Family Services, the LeRoy Haynes Center and local church preschools.

Toys will be accepted through Christmas Day and can be dropped off at the La Verne Fire and Police Department and the La Verne City Hall.

Lauren Harchut can be reached at lauren.harchut@laverne.edu.

Lauren Harchut
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