Home Antioch Editorial: Antioch Cruise Night Should Become Monthly Affair

Editorial: Antioch Cruise Night Should Become Monthly Affair

by ECT

On Saturday, the Antioch downtown was alive and well thanks to Cruise Night which brought classic cars, memories and most importantly people to the downtown area after dark.

Thanks to the work of Jim Lanter, Debbie Blaisure, Ken Turnage II, and Kip Stephens, their efforts allowed for a one-night only cruise night in what would have otherwise been another empty downtown Saturday night—basically a ghost town.

But City Hall, the city council and the police department should dig deep and really process about what occurred on Saturday evening. Even with less than ideal weather which included wind, clouds, and rain people still came. Whether they were in cars, on the sidewalk or snapping photographs, people had fun. Business owners had their store lights on after dark and they were happy.

antioch-police-cruise-nightWhat the organizes of this event did was showcase the potential of the downtown after dark. It wasn’t criminals on the street, the homeless, or riff-raff, it was families having a good time and interacting with one another–even police officers seemed to have a good time while chatting with residents and handing out gift cards.

The organizers brought back memories that many in the community forgot. They brought back a positive atmosphere that is much needed.

Aside from hearing how this event needs to happen again, the best thing I heard all night was an elderly female explain how she and her husband met in downtown Antioch on Cruise Night. Others brought up multiple memories of when they were teenagers and they would all walk or drive up and down the streets having a good old time.

Keep in mind; this was all in the rain.

jim-lanterWith a nice sunset on the river followed by moonlight and stars, the downtown has the potential to be packed. The potential of this event is exciting, especially if and when more businesses open their doors that could provide more opportunity for eating and shopping–possibly even entertainment. Tax revenue to the city also increases.

The city should revisit the “no cruising” law and allow for a monthly cruise. The event could also feature food trucks in Waldie Plaza or some type of event that is related to the nostalgia of classic cars and family fun.

The organizers of Cruise Night should be applauded for thinking outside the box. Their vision showcased just what a thriving downtown could be like for the community. Now the residents of Antioch needs those in city hall to share that vision and make it happen.

Bring back Cruise Night once a month and begin the process of bringing back some life into downtown Antioch. It’s time to set up Antioch for success.

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7 comments

Noriene Butterfield Oct 16, 2016 - 8:04 am

I have always been a proponent of downtown Antioch. I wrote a letter to the editor in the past. Other cities that have a waterfront, embrace it and focus on it. I owned a business in Antioch in the 1970s, when downtown Antioch was thriving. Banks, restaurants, clothing, jewelry, office supplies, grocerys,donuts,& even a pet store were downtown. It was a fun and safe place to go. We need to get that small town downtown feel back and the cruise night seems to be a logical place to start.

Julio Oct 16, 2016 - 9:48 am

Well, once we hired Lynn Nerland as city attorney, now gone, she pretty much declined any activity that put Antioch in any position of heavy liability. Many of us have tried to get activities going downtown in the last 10 years or so and have been told no. There was another city staffer in the upper ranks, now gone, who also shut down car shows and other activities. So, activities are much needed just like all the activities on going for many years in Oakley and Brentwood. We are a community and need to promote community activities. It will bring a once lovely community back together.

Lisa Oct 16, 2016 - 9:52 am

Yes they should…. Have something we could look forward to a family affair instead of depressing crime stories… This town needs this…

Lynda green Oct 16, 2016 - 12:45 pm

Agree !
We need to bring people back downtown and
Start to rebuild the sense of comminuity !

Old Pittsburg/Antioch Hwy Border Oct 17, 2016 - 6:42 am

Great community event when the cruise area is free of active cons. A regular schedule will help active cons to take advantage during this event. You really want this? Protest during these events. The protest theme is “We will fight you over keeping our community safe”. Active cons go where the take is easy. Antioch residents continue to make crime easy.

Antioch events and activities Oct 17, 2016 - 11:44 pm

Great event, but did people car clubs at the Antioch museum earlier that day know about the cruise night? Antioch needs to focus on connecting the dots to grow as a city.

John Buccellato Oct 18, 2016 - 2:15 pm

That is a beautiful 56 Chevy I own it John buccellato

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