Car buffs appreciated the variety of vehicles driving up and down Main Street, when the Ramona American Graffiti Cruise Nights returned on April 17 for the spring and summer season.
Former Ramona resident Chris Daly said he has been a regular spectator and driver in the Cruise Nights since its inception.
“I’m a car hobbyist,” said Daly, who now lives in Poway, from the sidelines. “I’ve been building custom vehicles for 20-plus years, so I love seeing the different designs and builds of the cars out here.”
Daly said he and his family watched a parade of modern cars, classic cars and Asian “tuner cars” that evening.
He was among Ramona American Graffiti’s cruisers until his 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 broke down. He has also entered his 2003 Honda CRV in car shows and even won a “People’s Choice” award for that vehicle at the Cajon Classic Cruise Car Show held Wednesday evenings from April to October in downtown El Cajon.
The overcast skies may have kept some away on opening night but it didn’t dampen the spirits of drivers and attendees, Daly said.
“Last year it was a lot busier than this on the first night,” said the former RBS Towing driver. “I’ve seen some really nice cars tonight.”
Bill Schacht, a Ramona resident of 50-plus years, brought his light green 1940 Ford Deluxe five-window coupe to cruise down Main Street with his wife, Carol Schacht.
“I enjoy Cruise Nights,” he said. “I take the wife and it’s great to get out like on a date night. I go as much as I can.”
Schacht said they were excited about attending the first night of Cruise Nights and it was an opportunity to buy a new T-shirt and sticker with the Cruise Nights logo.
“I love watching the cars and there’s a big variety of all kinds of vehicles,” he said of the classic to vintage vehicles on the road.
Schacht said his garage at home is filled with vehicles, including a 1965 Falcon Ranchero that his dad had bought when it was new and four other Falcons. Schacht said he’s restoring a 1967 Mustang.
“I bought it 18 years ago and I just started redoing it a year ago,” he said. “It’s my love and ion. It keeps me in the garage, off the street and out of the bars.”
Ramona resident Bob Pomiic attended the Cruise Nights event for the “nostalgia.”
“I saw cars that I wish I had,” said Pomiic, who was impressed by a Cushman vehicle used by meter-maids to issue parking tickets, and a Japanese fire engine.
His companion, Ramona resident Cyndi Mariner, said she looks forward to Cruise Nights when the vehicles drive through San Diego Country Estates neighborhoods where there’s less traffic congestion than on Main Street
“I asked people, ‘Can I take your car home?’ and they said, ‘No.’ It was worth a shot,” Mariner said. “People here are very nice and kind. It’s the small-town atmosphere that’s so sweet.”
The following is a list of scheduled Cruise Nights events:
May 1 – 50/50 Cruise in San Diego Country Estates
May 22 – Poker Run Cruise around Ramona
June 12 – 50/50 Cruise in the Estates
June 26 – Sock Hop at the Albertsons parking lot
July 10 – Poker Run
July 24 – First Responders Night
Aug. 7 – 50/50 Cruise in the Estates
Aug. 28 – 50/50 Cruise in the Estates
Sept. 11 – Last Cruise Night for 2025
Sept. 27 – Ramona Senior Car Show
For more information about participating in the Car Show or Cruise Nights, call Clubb at 619-980-3647.
