16 | May | 2020 | Minnesota Prairie Roots

From Faribault: Cruisin’ on Central on a glorious May evening May 16, 2020

The weather proved perfect for riding in this AMC Ambassador convertible during Faribault’s first 2020 Car Cruise Night.

FOR 25 MINUTES, WE WATCHED the cars and trucks cruise by on Central Avenue. Most vintage. Some not. And, just as the motorcycles roared into line, we picked up our lawn chairs and left. Not because we wanted to, but rather our order of the BBQ special from The Depot Bar & Grill was ready for curbside pick-up. We’d scheduled that just a little too early.

Cruising north along Faribault’s Central Avenue.

Watching the cruise. Central Avenue was not closed to traffic during the event.

Waving an American flag from a Dodge Dart.

Friday evening marked the first actual cruise in Faribault Main Street’s monthly warm weather car cruises. Typically, vehicles park along closed Central Avenue and people mingle, inspecting vehicles close-up, visiting with owners and others. It’s a social event that brings the community together.

An early Nova, also known as a Chevy II.

Filming the cruise…

Riding in the rumble seat of a Ford.

But all that has changed due to COVID-19. And rather than call off the gathering, organizers planned the cruise, first through Faribault’s historic downtown and then around the city. It was the perfect evening. Sunny. Warm. Lovely in every way.

Cruise participants await the start of the cruise in the Buckham Memorial Library parking lot.

A lovely Pontiac Catalina drives down Central Avenue.

We sat an empty parking space away from these cruise watchers, who remained in their car.

As we waited at the Minnesota State Highway 60 and Division Street intersection stoplight, I glanced over at the staging area—the library and community center parking lots. Vehicles packed the lots and nearby street. I noticed a definite lack of social distancing and no masks from afar (their choice), although I saw some drivers with masks during the parade. Randy and I brought ours along, to wear if we felt crowded and needed them. We didn’t.

A hotrod…

Down the block, these folks watched the cruise.

Cruisin’ Central in a Chevelle.

And so we kicked back in our lawn chairs and watched as vehicles rolled by, some roaring their engines and showing off for the crowd. I could have done without that. But, still, I enjoyed the parade and the 25 minutes when it seemed like this was just any other Friday evening in May. Except it wasn’t.

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