Classic cars to cruise through Kalona again Saturday

KALONA — The Kalona "Mayor’s Classic Car Cruise“ is slated for 5 p.m. Saturday, June 24, carrying on a tradition that started as a socially distanced community gathering in 2020 but continues today by popular demand.

Mayor Mark Robe will ride a firetruck in the cruise, rather than a vehicle of his own. He said he was happy to keep the event running, and especially excited to see a lack of rain in the forecast.

“Everybody seems to like it,” he said. “The people that participate, they are always excited to do it. People with old cars like to show them off, and this is a way for a whole bunch of them to show them off at one time … I’ve had people from out of town tell me it’s one of the best cruises they’ve ever been on.”

No registration or payment is required, according to Robe. Participants need only to show up at Sinclair Tractor on Highway 22, before the cruise begins. When it ends, cars are welcome to park in the KCTC lot downtown to mingle and view the vehicles.

Robe said there was no strict definition of what constituted a “classic car,” and that anyone with an impressive ride was invited. He hopes to see 100 cars in this year’s cruise.

“I welcome anybody that wants to come down and show off,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be super old … if it’s just an older car that’s in really good shape, that’s fine with me. I’m not picky!”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com