Q&A with Pat McCool, director of the Bellefonte Cruise

The Bellefonte Cruise, traditionally held Father’s Day weekend, has been a beloved Bellefonte custom for more than 25 years. Since it began in 1988, the Bellefonte Cruise has continued to grow.

Director Pat McCool is celebrating 10 years on the Bellefonte Cruise committee, and he talked about what visitors can expect at the 28th annual Bellefonte Cruise.

T&G: How did you get involved initially with the cruise?

McCool: I was asked to print T-shirts for the event through my business, [PAMP’s screen printing] and become a sponsor. Then I started working with the committee, trying to help them out as much as I could. The Cruise became something I really enjoyed, putting on the show and organizing the show. Then the former chairperson decided that he was going to step down, and nobody else really wanted to take the seat. So I agreed to take the seat.

T&G: How have you seen the Bellefonte Cruise evolve since you’ve been involved with it?

McCool: Several of the other guys and I work very hard on building things up. It’s been progressing ever since, trying to get a little bigger each year. We’re not trying to take huge leaps and bounds, but we’re just trying to make it a better and better show, a little more family-oriented, and a little more open to public. Those kinds of things. It’s definitely been evolving. We try a few different things, and if they’re successful, we continue on with them.

T&G: What can we expect at this year’s cruise?

McCool: One thing that we’re really trying to get the word out about is a kid’s class that we started some year’s ago. It’s basically for any children to bring whatever they want — push cars, bicycles, riding vehicles, or whatever. Clean them up and bring them to the show — a lot like they see their fathers do or their grandfathers do. Go to their registration, register their vehicle as if they were adults, and participate in the show. This year, we’ve also started sponsoring a soapbox derby car. The soapbox used to be huge in the 1960s and 1970s in the Bellefonte community. This year, we’ve also picked up a few new sponsors. Then on the 19th, we have the Make-A-Wish ride, which is sponsored with the cruise and the Bellefonte Eagle Riders. One of the area’s children get a wish from Make-A-Wish Foundation. That’s been very successful. Two years ago, we started it, and every year we’ve been able to get enough funds to grant at least one child or one-plus child [a wish]. That money actually stays in the area here, so they actually grant a wish to a kid typically from Bellefonte.

T&G: What’s you favorite part of the Bellefonte Cruise?

McCool: Oh boy, that’s a tough one to say. I really do enjoy the cars and motorcycles and just getting to see some of the unusual vehicles that show up and the care and restoration of them. That’s what I would say would really be my thing — getting the opportunity to admire the cars and look at some of the very hard work that’s been put in the restoration of them.

 The 28th annual Bellefonte Cruise is June 17-18 in Bellefonte. Visit bellefontecruise.org for more information.