By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
A parade of vehicles – from classics to hotrods to newer models – will cruise “under the lights” of Main Street next week to benefit two Yukon help causes.
Yukon 66 Main Street will present the 5th Annual “Cruise-In for a Cause” from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 along the iconic Route 66 in Yukon.
“This is a free, open cruise on America’s Main Street,” Cruise coordinator Judy Austin said. “We’re asking participants to contribute to our two local help causes, the Yukon Police Department’s Christmas with a Cop and Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program.
“I always look forward to seeing everyone’s new cars, vehicles they’ve restored and cool motorcycles. Everything – from vintage to new.”
More than $10,000 has been raised for participating non-profit causes over the first four years of Yukon’s Main Street cruise.
All vehicle owners are invited to cruise the “Mother Road” during the Sept. 21st special event.
“This is open to everybody,” said Austin, who will bring husband David’s 1955 Ford Fairlane.
Reserved “Park & Show” spaces in Yukon Main Street’s 400 block are going fast, so register soon. Fee is $30, with 50% benefitting the registrant’s cause of choice.
“We’ll have at least 60 spaces downtown where they can park and show off their vehicles,” Austin said. “We also have areas on 5th Street for car clubs, truck clubs and motorcycle clubs.”
Anyone interested in reserving club space should contact the Yukon Main Street office.
When they’re not riding, Cruise-In for a Cause attendees are encouraged to stroll through the Park & Show area, visit cause and sponsor booths, check out fun things to see and do at various stops along the way, and enjoy the constant parade of cool rides.
Thru-traffic should expect some slow-down from Third to Fifth streets during the event.
“Yukon Main Street will remain open to traffic during the cruise,” Yukon Main Street Director Vicki Davis said. “However, N and S 4th Street will be blocked for event activities from Main Street to the alley.”
On the north side of Main Street at 4th Street, YPD Christmas with a Cop and Savannah Station will have on-site advocacy booths with information about their causes.
Food vendor trucks will be on the south side at Main and 4th – offering everything from hamburgers and nachos to pulled pork stuffed jalapenos and shaved ice.
As part of the 2023 Cruise-In for a Cause, the Yukon Chamber Ambassadors will present a “family fun zone” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Yukonopoly Yard further north on 4th Street. All activities are free.
Archery Traditions also will have an archery activity area at their booths on 4th at Main.
Cruisers will have the opportunity to pull up in front of the Yukon Sunset Mural west of city hall to take home a professional photo at the State Farm Photo Stop.
THERE’S MORE???
As if all that wasn’t enough, cruise-goers will check out more featured cruise activities in the 100 block of W Main.
Chisholm Trail Roofing & Construction, 121 W Main, will host a live concert by the Howard Brady Band and serve grilled burgers and hot dogs.
Brewer Carpet, 126 W Main, will welcome a motorcycle club and offer other festivities.
Tax-deductible donations to the 2023 Cruise-In for a Cause are encouraged at donation stations on the event grounds, at the cause booths or beforehand through the Yukon Main Street office at 528 W Main.
Any donations not designated for a specific participating Cause will be equally split between the two causes.
Yukon’s Cruise-In for a Cause is always the third Thursday of September.
Organizing sponsor of the 2023 cruise is the Yukon 66 Main Street Association.
Other top sponsors are Kay Casper Family, State Farm Group, Central Power Systems, Archery Traditions, ONG, BancFirst, Pro Grade Flooring, Chisholm Trail Roofing & Construction, Angelique Morton-Edward Jones, Brewer Carpet, and CSL Plasma Mustang.
Keepsake 2023 Cruise-In for a Cause T-shirts are on sale for $25 each.
Visit www.yukon66mainstreet.com to register, pre-order an event T-shirt, make a Cause contribution, or volunteer.
For more information, call the Yukon Main Street office at (405) 350-5999 or e-mail mainstreet@yukonok.gov.
