Dozens of classic and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles lined South Allen Street on a picture-perfect Sunday afternoon for the annual Last Cruise Invitational Car Show.
Celebrating its 33rd year, the Last Cruise has benefited the Centre County Youth Service Bureau since it was first held in 1985. That year, after State College passed an ordinance banning cruising in the downtown, WRSC-AM’s Kevin Nelson and Wendy Williams organized one last cruise to benefit CCYSB.
Now it’s a ‘best of the best’ car show and an annual summer tradition in the Centre Region. Participants are invited based on their success in other competitions and vehicle quality. Through efforts such as sponsorships and raffles, the Last Cruise raises about $20,000 a year for CCYSB.
‘We’re really fortunate in that we are able to raise private dollars to do services that don’t have other funding,’ said Andrea Fisher, CCYSB chief executive officer. ‘An example would be, we do prevention programming for kids in their own neighborhoods. Years ago we had a grant to do that and we had a lot of success. When that grant ended we have been able to continue that service through fundraisers like this. It’s hugely important.’
This fiscal year CCYSB will need to raise about $560,000 to provide 14 different programs that serve children and families and reach thousands of individuals throughout the year. Some of CCYSB’s programs include residential programs, a variety of family services, and community programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters and youth centers.
With the fiscal year beginning in July, the Last Cruise is the first of four major fundraisers, which also include a fly-fishing tournament, a golf tournament and a clay shoot.
‘What’s unique and wonderful about the Last Cruise is that it’s really the only event we have that anybody can come out and enjoy,’ Fisher said. ‘With the other events you have to have a team, or you’re a sponsor, but today anybody can come on down and enjoy the day.’
The 2017 Last Cruise had 57 cars and trucks and nine motorcycles, according to CCYSB staff member Kristen Dann.
‘It fluctuates from year to year,’ Dann said. ‘It depends what kind of applications we get in. We also have people who are pre-invited by committee members which means committee members go to car shows and invite somebody to come on out and be a part of this.’
Fisher added that weather can play a role as well. When there is a threat of rain, some of the participants who have been accepted may decide not to come.
But Sunday’s sunny skies meant that wouldn’t be a problem this year.
‘We’ve had a really great turnout from participants who were invited to the show,’ Dann said.
Vehicles were on display Sunday afternoon before awards were presented and drivers took a cruise around downtown State College. After the cruise, an event that debuted last year in conjunction with the Last Cruise returned again to The State Theatre.
The second annual Cruisin’ Classics concert also benefited CCYSB and featured local bands playing hits of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. This year’s acts included Ramalama, Elizabeth Webb and The Spiders, Eric Ian Farmer with Rick Hirsch and Friends, and Jackie Brown & the Gill Street Band.
‘It’s a great way to end the day,’ Fisher said.
For more on the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, visit ccysb.com.
See photos from the 33rd Last Cruise Invitational Car Show in the gallery below.
