Yes, it was another HOT ONE, but HEY, it was the end of July in South-Central Florida! (Slide Show Below!)

Greetings Cruisers! Despite the challenging heat, Devane Park was packed with cars, trucks, bikes, and happy people. Plus, we had the classic ambiance of the U.S. Sugar Express steam locomotive train.

There’s nothing like the lonesome sound of a steam train whistle. But being that we’re car and bike people, you could also say the same things about a big-block Chevy or Hemi with open headers or a big-bore Harley-Davidson.

The gates opened at 7 am and as usual, cars were lined up by 6:30 to get a good parking spot near a tree. “DJ Ben” fired up his machine, a big, honk’n soundboard, and speakers by 8 am. You gotta have tunes for a car & bike show!

This year’s Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show had a simplified Awards deal. Here are our winners!

“Farthest Traveled” – Troy Evans, 2020 Corvette Stingray from Washington State

“Mayor’s Choice – John Donato, 1930 Ford Hot Rod

“People’s Choice” – Anthony Poplunek, 1932 Ford Hot Rod

“Mayor’s Motorcycle Choice & Police Chief Motorcycle Choice” – Jeff Mace Custom Harley-Davidson

“Most Members of a Car Club” – “No Name Car Club”

“50/50 Winner of $900” – Chris Barry

Our next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike show will be Saturday, August 12, from 9 am to noon at the Lake Placid American Legion, on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid, Florida.

Legion Pit Master “Larry” will be slinging the burgers and dogs!

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Lake Country Cruisers will supply the Rock’n Roll music, great door prizes, Cruiser of the Month, Bike of the Month, 50/50, plus a 50/50 runner-up prize. Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Shows are Family-Friendly and Dog-Friendly. So, bring the kids, grand kiddos, and Poochie! (we ask that you keep your doggie on a lead and clean up after any messes)

We’ll see you there! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

Greetings Cruisers,

   Just a reminder that this Saturday, July 29, 2023, is the 32nd^th Annual Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show at Devane Park in beautiful downtown Lake Placid, in the roundabout circle.

The Registration gate opens at 7 am. If you did not Pre-Register, the Registration Fee is $25.

Here are the Rules for Participation

1. Registration opens at 7 am on Saturday, July 29th at the park and closes promptly at noon.

2. ABSOLUTELY no early admissions to the show field.

3. All show parking sites will be assigned by show officials.

4. All trailered show cars must be driven onto the show field.

5. Parking will be provided for trailers and tow cars adjacent to the show field.

6. Cars to be judged must have trunk and hood open and windows down.

7. No bicycles. skateboards, skates, or scooters are allowed on the show field.

8. “For Sale” signs are permitted on the windshield for the sale of the vehicle, but no parts sales.

9. For their safety, all minor (Under 18) children must be supervised by an adult.

10. All decisions are final.

* Dash Plaques & Goody bags to the first 150 registered vehicles

* Music by GNR Sounds (DJ Ben)

* Food provided by the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce

* Beer Garden

* 50/50, plus consolation prizes (last year’s 50/50 was $1,000!)

* Little Miss Caladium Pageant, sponsored by Bittner Bridal, in Lake Placid.

2023 Awards: Awards Presentation at 1:30 PM

Awards include;

* Peoples Choice

* Police Chief’s Choice

* Mayor’s Choice

* Most in a Club

* Furthest Driven

Follow the Car Show signs from US Highway 27 to Devane Park.

And lastly, Cruisers, when you register, remember to register as “Lake Country Cruisers” so we have a chance at winning the “Most in a Club” award!

Rain or Shine – No Refunds.

Just a reminder, it will be HOT (big surprise, right?), so be sure to pace yourself and drink plenty of liquids; and not just beer! Find a shady spot and do your best to chill.

We’ll see you there! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Cruisers, our next Car & Bike Show will be on August 12 at the Lake Placid American Legion, on rt. 27, in Lake Placid, FL. The show will run from 5 pm to 7:30 pm. If you have a motorcycle, bring it, or have friends with a bike, invite them! We like two, three, four, and six-wheel machines!

A record number of cars, attendees, and a $1,000 50/50 payout!

Dateline: 8.8.2022 Photos by K. Scott Teeters, except where noted – Lake Country Cruisers has expanded our horizons. Last year, after nearly two decades of service, Bob Larson retired as the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show Chairman. Pete Richie stepped forward and said, “Well then, I’ll do it.” and Ron Ellerman and I said, “We’re with you too, Pete!”

In the last twelve months, Pete, Ron, and I have managed ten car shows; the 2021 Independence Day and the Labor Day shows at The Journal Plaza, adjacent to Wet Dogs Brewing; plus eight shows at the Lake Placid America Legion. While the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show was a bigger event, we were confident.

By all accounts, this year’s Caladium Car & Bike Show was a HUGE success. According to Jerry Meisenheimer of the Highlands News-Sun report, there were a record-number 280 cars, trucks, and motorcycles stuffed into the Devanne Park, in beautiful downtown Lake Placid. Jerry reported, “The best word to describe the July 30^th event is, “WOW”. Continue reading “The Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show Was a BIG Hit!” →

Caladium Festival Car & Bike Shows Gets Some Local Ink!

Dateline: 7.20.22 – A big THANKS to Highlands News-Sun and writer Jerry Meisenheimer for splashing the upcoming Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show, coming up on Saturday, July 30, from 9 am to 4 pm. The Car & Bike Show will be in Devane Park inside the round-about circle off Interlake Blvd and across the railroad tracks in downtown Lake Placid. For safety reasons, no animals are permitted.

The overall Caladium Festival runs from Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30 from 9 am to 4 pm, and Sunday, July 31, from 10 am to 3 pm. This is a street vendor event, so streets will be clocked off for the 150-plus vendors!

So, bring your four-wheel, three-wheel, or two-wheel machine and join in on the fun. There will be food vendors, a beer garden, pizza across the street at Mr. Sammy’s, dash plaques and goodie bags for the first 150 registered vehicles, trophy plaques, and an awesome, 27-inch-tall, hand-made by local metal artist, Jamie Klemm, “Best In Show” trophy.

And 50/50 tickets; your arm’s length – $5.00; your height – $10.00, or your car’s length – $20.00. The Caladium Car & Bike Shows are very well attended, so someone is going to go home with an AWESOME 50/50 payout! Continue reading “Nifty Cars Wanted For Car & Bike Show” →