ON A SULTRY SUMMER SOLSTICE EVENING, hundreds converged on Faribault’s Central Avenue for the monthly Car Cruise Night. Our downtown offers an ideal backdrop of historic buildings for the many vintage and antique vehicles and sports cars showcased in a four-block area.
But this event is about much more than cars and trucks. It’s also about community. About coming together. About connecting with hugs and one-on-one conversations. Young and old alike come here, infusing energy into the downtown during a season when everyone wants to be outdoors, heat and humidity aside.
Some bring their dogs. Others bring their babies and toddlers and kids of all ages for an evening out. Something to do. The excitement of some—especially two pre-teens who thought they spotted a Lamborghini—felt palpable. It was not a Lamborghini. But for the boys, in a singular moment, they held high hopes.
I got excited when I spotted, from a distance, a car outside Boxer’s Bar that looked remarkably like a Mercury Comet. My husband confirmed that the red four-door was, indeed, a Comet. My first car was a 1976 two-door canary yellow Comet, which I nicknamed, well, let’s just say a word that rhymes with Comet. I spent way too much money repairing that vehicle. Plus, the driver’s door wouldn’t close in the winter. I digress. Perhaps the owner of the red Comet has had much better than lemon luck.
Car Cruise participants will share stories about their vehicles if you ask. Most settle onto lawn chairs on the sidewalk and watch as people circle their treasures on wheels. A retired Minnesota State Patrol cruiser, a 2015 Ford Taurus Interceptor, attracted plenty of attention with so many flashing, pulsating lights that I had to look away. It gave me pause, especially in light of recent events in Minnesota. But signage and license plates made it clear this Taurus is no longer an active duty patrol car. I appreciated that clarity.
And then there’s pride in ownership showcased in shiny, spotless vehicles waxed to perfection. Flawless. Brian Boelke of Mazeppa polished his 1948 Chrysler to mirror image shine. I was fascinated by the reflection of historic buildings curving across the hood and sides of his black car. Abstract art. Beautiful. I wonder if others noticed.
I view Car Cruise Night through an artistic lens, Central Avenue like a gallery of auto art.
The performing arts are also part of this monthly summertime event. On the longest day of the year, the Jason Paulson Band beat a rhythm of Americana music from an intersection outside the beloved hometown Signature Bar & Grill. People walked by. Some danced. Others relaxed on history-themed benches or settled onto a vintage Tilt-a-Whirl car anchored outside third-generation family-owned Burkhartzmeyer Shoes. Friends paused mid-street to talk.
For the hungry and thirsty, there were plenty of options from downtown businesses and food trucks and stands. I spotted a boy eating his last mini donut, a favorite fair food of mine. I didn’t cave to temptation, until back home when I scooped up chocolate chip ice cream.
As cars and trucks began pulling away from their parking spots along Central Avenue with the Car Cruise winding down, Randy and I listened briefly to the band before heading home. I was feeling overheated, in need of a cool place and a long cold drink of water after taking 108 photos on this summer solstice evening in southern Minnesota.
FYI: Upcoming Car Cruises are set for 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 18, and Friday, August 15, in downtown Faribault. The final cruise will be held Saturday, September 19, at Faribault Harley Davidson.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a great community event. Love reading about your Comet! Nostalgia plus!
Sultry evening makes me know exactly what your air is like. We are in a heat wave along with high humidity.
These car cruises truly are a fun community event. The heat and humidity have finally lifted, giving way to a beautiful Tuesday with windows flung open.
Oh I hope our wave doesn’t last too much longer. No open windows here. Even w the AC it’s oppressive air. Enjoy the breeze!
I hope, too, that your heat wave is short-lived. I’m happy to have the windows open again.
these events are always so fun, even if you’re not a ‘car person’ there is always something to enjoy by everyone. as you said, it brings the community together. I see it as car art as well and I love that little go kart.
Both Randy and I enjoy car shows. He looks at the cars from a completely different perspective than me given he’s an automotive machinist. He knows his cars!
I figured he would love the show for this reason
Yup, different interests, different reasons for enjoying car shows.
We were camping Friday night… We built a bonfire to celebrate the summer solstice.☀️ Then we came home on Saturday late afternoon…the humidity was oppressive by then, and temps in the 90’s!
I admire your tenacity of camping in the heat and humidity.
Audrey, just had to share this. My first car, too, was a Mercury comet, I don’t know the year but I bought it used in 1966 when I began my first year of teaching high school English in Port Huron, MI. It served me about five years and was a dusty blue. I don’t think I even have a picture of it, but your post brought it back.
Glad to bring back Mercury Comet memories for you. I had mine for maybe four or five years.
What fun! Your photos are excellent, too!
Thank you for appreciating my story and, especially, my images.