City sees the return of classic car Cruise-In

Cruise-In car show returned after being canceled in 2020

Hundreds of cars, ranging from Studebakers to Corvettes to even World War II Army Jeeps lined the parking lot of the Mentor Civic Center Aug. 14 for the annual Mentor Cruise-In.

Like many events, last year’s cruise-in was canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The nearly 20-year-old event returned in 2021 to the date it’s always been held: the second Saturday in August.

For participants like Stan Zaucha of Mentor, it was a good opportunity to get out after so many events were canceled last year.

He said he’s participated in cruise-ins on and off for several years and plans to do a few local events this year.

Zaucha said he’s been interested in classic cars since he was a kid. He brought a 1970 Buick Gran Sport to the cruise-in.

“When I was growing up, a friend of mine had one just like it,” Zaucha said. “I’ve always liked the color combination. Plus, you don’t see too many of these at shows anymore.”

Mentor Cruise-In committee member Michael Van Fossan said nostalgia is a big factor in what attracts people to cruise-ins.

“It reminds people of when they were young,” he said. “I’m the same way. You get attracted to the things of your youth.”

Organizer Nick Standering added that spectators have the chance to come and find a car they fell in love with when they were growing up. For participants, there’s a sense of camaraderie.

“It’s a relaxing, laid back event,” Standering said. “You can put up a chair and talk to people as they come by.”

Standering said they expected to have more than 600 cars participating in the event. Nice weather helped bolster participation, he said.

In addition to the cars, the event also had live music and food trucks. Standering said they’re hoping the music becomes a bigger part of what draws people into the event going forward.

After a lost year due to COVID-19, Standering said that he was happy to have the event back.

“It’s good to see the cruise-in back and back to normal,” he said.

ANDREW CASS — THE NEWS-HERALD Classic cars of all makes and models filled the parking lot of the Mentor Civic Center Aug. 14for the annual Mentor Cruise-In.