Classic and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles will roar into downtown State College on Sunday for the 32nd Last Cruise Car & Motorcycle Show benefiting the Centre County Youth Services Bureau (CCYSB).
The Last Cruise was established in 1985 when State College passed an anti-cruising ordinance for downtown.WRSC radio’s Kevin Nelson and Wendy Williams set up one final cruise to raise money for CCYSB.
The event has grown into a State College summer tradition. The invitational car show, which is 1-4 p.m. Sunday on South Allen Street, annually features 50-70 vehicles, a ‘Best of the Best’ show with participants invited based on success in competitions and vehicle quality. The show brings in visitors from across the state.
After awards are given from 4-4:30 p.m., it’s time for the Last Cruise. Show cars as well as the general public are invited to participate in the cruise around downtown State College from 4:30-6 p.m.
New this year, the day will be capped off with the Cruisin’ Classics Concert at the State Theatre following the cruise. The show, which also will benefit CCYSB, features four bands playing radio hits from the 1950s through 1970s.
The concert includes humorous doo-wop group Ramalama; State College-area staple and ‘The Original Piano Man’ Tommy Wareham and the Intrigues; Central Pennsylvania rock and roll band Your Dad’s Friends; and nine-piece funk, soul & R&B purveyors Jackie Brown and the Gill Street Band.
The day is an important one for CCYSB. It’s one of several events throughout the year contributing to the more than $500,000 the organization needs to raise to provide its 14 programs for kids and families. The Last Cruise now raises more than $20,000 through efforts including sponsorships by local residents and businesses, raffles, and now the evening concert.
CCYSB has its main office on West Aaron Drive, but program locations can be found elsewhere in State College, Bellefonte, Snow Shoe and Spring Mills. The bureau also has a mobile outreach program.
