Cruise Nights continue 'driving' in downtown Plainfield

Vintage cars, sports cars, and other automobiles were on full display in downtown Plainfield for the weekly summer Cruise Nights, starting on June 7.

The Cruise Nights are organized by the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and are set up every Tuesday at 5 p.m. from June 7 to Aug. 30.

Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Tasha Kitson, added that July 19 is the only Tuesday the event will not be held on due to “excessive road closures” from the Plainfield Fest occurring earlier that day.

Kitson said the newest changes for Cruise Nights they strived for were to provide more parking spaces for both participants and residents.

“We can accommodate 300 plus vehicles at any one time, but that is not enough on most nights,” Kitson said.

Since their start in 1998, Cruise Nights have been a place to attract customers to local businesses in the downtown area, and for car enthusiasts to show off their rides.

Mary Ann Waldorf, owner of the Gourmet Junction and teahouse in downtown Plainfield, recalls the early beginnings of the Cruise Nights, where the first events were dubbed as “Car Shows ’98.”

Waldorf and her husband, former Plainfield mayor James Waldorf, had created the car shows with an initial budget of about $2,000, as well as support from former Plainfield Police Chief, Donald E. Bennett.

From past to present, people from all over Illinois participated in the shows, from Aurora, Ill. to Chicago residents. Participants of the shows could park at the first available spot on Lockport St., with local volunteers at each intersection guiding drivers.

Local Plainfield law enforcement also provided security and road clearance throughout each one.

Alan Jensen, a Cruise Nights participant, stood by his 1977 Cutlass Salon while feeding his dog, Cambria.

Jensen had spent many years modifying his car, describing how the engine was designed by someone who had “built race engines.” This marked Jensen’s third year in participating at the Cruise Nights.

Aside from cars and food, the Rod Baker Ford auto-dealership gave away t-shirts and other merchandise to those who registered for a chance to win free oil changes or Chicago Cubs tickets at each Cruise Night.

So much of the benefits of the Cruise Nights go towards the downtown area, and many hope to see it continue to be there every summer.

“These car shows seem to be getting bigger and bigger as the years go by,” said Jensen. “It would be a shame if they said ‘no more.’”

Even with more space and more business, Waldorf sees several issues that the shows may be facing, and has heard rumors that Cruise Nights may be “moved” to another location because of economic reasons.

However, no sources have yet to officially indicate or confirm these rumors.

“Not only is Cruise Nights an excellent way for the area residents to see the downtown,” said Kitson,”but it is an economic driver for our downtown businesses.”

For more information on Cruise Nights, and other upcoming events in the Plainfield area, visit www.plainfieldchamber.com