ARTSY FLAMES BLAZED across the hood and doors of the 1940 International Harvester pick-up truck, grabbing my attention as I walked among the vehicles parked along several blocks of historic Central Avenue during the June 19 Faribault Car Cruise Night.
The creative rat rod, with its handcrafted claw hands grasping the side mirrors, its interior plastered with stickers, brown paper bag “air bag,” back end wrenches, rat sculptures and more proved a draw and a conversation starter.
And, for me, that’s part of the point of these summer cruises—bringing community together in conversation with each other. Owners of rat rods, collector, antique and other vehicles are always open to chatting it up. And so are those who come here. Friends. Family. Neighbors. And strangers become acquaintances via introductions.
While I like to talk, I also like to unobtrusively observe. And listen. On this evening, the music of Lonsdale-based Triple Stitch blasted, a guitarist rocking it to “Summer of 69” on the portable stage set up in the street.
Across the way, an employee at the Twisted Chicken food truck grilled. Other food trucks and local restaurants also offered food. Several shops opened their doors for special Friday evening hours during the cruise.
The downtown filled with more and more people as the evening progressed. It was good to see a crowd along Central enjoying themselves on a comfortable summer evening that later cooled to jacket weather.
I saw babies in arms and strollers. A little girl cradling her baby doll. Couples walking hand-in-hand. A young man dressed in a fashionable suit leaning against the side of the Black Sheep Auto Sales vintage pick-up truck.
Teens on scooters. Dogs on leashes and one running loose, the owner seemingly not caring about her dog roaming among the throngs of people. I kept my distance.
A race track outside the toy store drew kids to race mini-cars down a swooping race track. It was sheer joy to watch their excitement, to see their smiles.
Across the street, kids clamored into small-scale vehicles meant just for them.
I caught up briefly with Craig, who owns an old ambulance, which he sold then somehow managed to buy back after realizing he’d made a mistake by selling the emergency vehicle.
A show volunteer advised me to check out his rusty truck parked on the south end of Central. He showed me a photo on his phone so I could be sure to find it. I later found the pick-up near a shiny black Plymouth on a trailer, just as he said I would.
Occasionally I asked my automotive machinist husband questions. Randy is incredibly knowledgeable about anything vehicle-related. He views this show from a mechanical perspective unlike my artistic viewpoint. I’m drawn to shiny chrome reflecting buildings, hood ornaments, car emblems, the fancy floral patterned upholstery in a vintage Cadillac, the curve of a fender…
Interests in car shows can be as diverse as the people who attend, including those who signed a patriotic car promoting an upcoming car show. The BlackTop Cruisers Midwest “Fall of Summer Car Show” is set for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, at South Alexander Park in Faribault.
I love seeing the mix of people crossing paths, mingling, mixing and coming together at car shows. While cars, trucks and motorcycles draw people to downtown Faribault on a Friday evening, the summer car cruises are, at their core, about community.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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