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No Cruisers Show For September

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Greetings Cruisers. We are letting everyone know that there will be no Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show for the month of September.

Sometimes, “life gets in the way” of things. It happens that Pete Richie and Ron Ellerman will both be traveling north, vacationing with their families for the month of September.

The next Car & Bike Show will be on October 14 at the American Legion, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Legion Post 25’s backyard grille will be getting a new metal roof that may or may not be completed by then. So, burgers and dogs cooked on the grille might not be available, but they will work out something for lunch from the inside kitchen.

Y’all enjoy the final weeks of summer and we’ll see you around town and at the Legion on October 14th! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Check out Post 25’s beautiful NEW mural!!! The formal name of the mural is, “Honoring Veterans”.

PSS – On September 11, 2023, there will be a commemoration event at Post 25 starting at 9 a.m. Pancake breakfast will be served at no charge for First Responders and Police. This event is open to the public.

Then at 1 p.m., there will be a dedication ceremony for the new mural. Artist Keith Goodson, the Lake Placid Mural Society, the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce, and Post 25 officers will be in attendance. This event is open to the public.

This Saturday’s Car & Bike Show CANCELED!

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Greetings Cruisers! Well, you don’t need us to tell you that it’s a HOT summer here. The forecast for this Saturday is that the low for the day before sunrise will be 77 degrees and a high temp of 96 degrees.

Those numbers are AMBIENT air temps and do not reflect the heat index that factors in humidity. It’s going to be one of the hottest days of the summer.

So, because we don’t want anyone dropping from the heat, we have decided to CANCEL this Saturday’s show due to BAD WEATHER.

Sorry, Cruisers. Please let your other Cruiser pals know, just in case they don’t read this.

We’ll be back to you about the September show at the Lake Placid American Legion.

Y’all stay cool now! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

2023 Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show

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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.

From the 2022 Caladium Car & Bike Show

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!

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

2023 Caladium Car & Bike Show This Saturday!

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Greetings Cruisers,

   Just a reminder that this Saturday, July 29, 2023, is the 32ndth 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!

The AMAZING Harold LeMay Car Collection VIDEO

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A “Trash Man” Makes Good!

Greetings Cruisers and Happy 2023! We hope that everyone had a happy and safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

It’s no secret that “there’s BIG money in trash!” Harold LeMay was an amazing car guy. Born in 1919 in Yakima, Washington, Harold was into cars as a kid. As soon as he graduated from high school he went into the auto business. This was just Harold’s first enterprise.

After WW-II, Harold launched Lucky Towing, HELM Trucking Company, and Lucky Sales & Service. Eventually, Harold started his refuse company, Harold LeMay Enterprises, in Tacoma Washington.

Lots and LOTS of Cars!

Along the way, Harold bought cars, trucks, and motorcycles. LOTS of them! At one time, Harold’s collection numbered over 3,000! In 1997, three years before his death in 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records listed the LeMay Collection as the largest privately-owned car collection in the world.

Typically, car collections are sold-off after the owner passes. In 1996, Harold came up with the idea of starting a non-profit museum so that his collection would not be broken up and sold off. But as they say, “Life got in the way”. Harold didn’t live to see his museum idea work out. However, later, his wife Nancy and son Doug made his dream a reality.Of course, the entire collection was left to his wife, Nancy. Talk about a strange inheritance!

80 Acres of Cars!

In 1991 the “LeMay Family Collection Foundation at Marymount” in Tacoma, Washington opened an 80-acre estate that was once a military academy-style school for boys. Marymount was founded by Dominican nuns in 1923. In 2012 the establishment was renamed, “The LeMay America’s Car Museum.”


With 80 acres and thousands of vehicles, it must be a marathon to take in or an all-weekend experience. Clearly, Harold’s family also has gasoline in their veins too. You’d have to, in order to make such a thing come together. Of course, Mecum or Barrett Jackson would have loved selling off all those vehicles! Continue reading “The AMAZING Harold LeMay Car Collection VIDEO” →

Party With the Cruisers on Saturday of Labor Day Weekend!

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Special Labor Day Weekend Summer Event, Lake Placid American Legion, September 3, 2022

Dateline: 8.15.22 – We got some interesting questions at the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show, as well as several of our breakfast and Meet’n Eat luncheons. Basically this, “When is the next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show?”. And we answered, “Well, on October 8.” Then we hear, “Oh, no shows until then?”

So, we got to thinking.

Last year we had two summer special events at the Plaza Journal, one on Independence Day Weekend and the other on Labor Day Weekend. The grassy courtyard next to Wet Dogs Brewing is torn up and under construction. After a new building is up, the courtyard will be restored.

Since we had a Father’s Day Show and the Caladium Show Car & Bike Show, let’s do a Labor Day Show at the American Legion! The American Legion management agreed and asked us to remind everyone that the Legion’s kitchen Mess Hall and Bar will be Open For Business!

So, here’s the deal! The “Lake Country Cruisers Show’n Shine Labor Day Car & Bike Show” will be at the Lake Placid American Legion, on Rt. 27, on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, from 10 am to 2 pm. We will announce Door Prizes around 12-noon and announce the 50/50 Winner at 1:30 pm. And don’t forget, there will be a sweet 50/50 Runnerup Winner!

Admission will be $5 at the Sign-In table; Door Prizes will be given, and very generous 50/50 tickets will be available under the tent. 50/50 tickets are 10-tickets for $10 and 40-tickets for $20. Our 50/50 ticket payouts have been growing, so be sure to get some!

So shine up your ride, and bring your cooler and tent! It’s a Labor Day Car Show Party! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Bring your flags to the car show!

PSS – Our next Cruisers Meet’n Eat is this Thursday, August 19th at Dock 633, on Lake June Rd., in Lake Placid. Bring your appetite, the foods is GOOD! See map below.PSS

The Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show Was a BIG Hit!

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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 30th event is, “WOW”. Continue reading “The Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show Was a BIG Hit!” →

Nifty Cars Wanted For Car & Bike Show

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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.

Click the above image to read the BIG version!

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” →

Cruisers Partied Hardy For a Saturday Meet’n Eat!

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A BUSY month for the Cruisers…

Dateline: 7.2.22 – It had been a year since we hosted a Meet’n Eat event at our house. This was Karen’s idea, but unfortunately, she was feeling under the weather but is doing fine now. It was a REALLY hot day, so we all stayed inside and enjoyed a few hours of laughs, good conversation, and eats.

Everyone brought something and everything was REAL GOOD!

On a personal note, Karen and I are just thrilled with the Lake Country Cruisers community. We lived in New Jersey for a long, long time, and there was nothing like this there.

The more we attend car shows and luncheons, the larger everyone’s social circle becomes. And I don’t mean those faceless “social media” circles. Almost every time I go out and about, I see “someone” connected to either Lake Country Cruisers or Highlands County Corvettes. It’s a good thing!

So, if you would like to host a Meet’n Eat event at your abode, let us know, we’ll work out a time, and let everyone know!

July is shaping up to be a busy Cruisers month. We are working on a Cruisers Pool Nite at Warehouse Billiards, in downtown Lake Placid.

Also, we will be announcing the date of our next Meet’n Eat Luncheon, this time at Cowpokes Watering Hole, in Sebring. Hope you like steak! Their new Cuban Sandwich is awesome!

Dates for “Pool Nite” and the “Watering Hole” luncheon will be announced soon.

And then there’s the BIG Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show on July 30, 2022. There are already more street vendors signed on than last year and we are anticipating more cars and motorcycles. More details to come.

Y’all stay hydrated and cool. We want to see you at our next event! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Everyone had a wonderful Independence Day weekend with those you love!

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Our Father’s Day Show Gets Some Local Ink!

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Dateline: 7-1-22 – A BIG THANKS to the nice folks at Highlands News-Sun Newspaper for publishing the story we sent in about our First Presbyterian Church Father’s Day car show. Indeed, a good time was had by all. This morning at the Highlands County Corvettes Friday Breakfast at Oscars Family Restaurant in Sebring,  I happened to see Reverend Drew and he reiterated that we will be having another Sunday car show perhaps after New Years when it’s cooler.

To read the BIG version, just click the above image, or CLICK HERE.

We will keep you informed! – Scott, Ron, & Pete

PS – Plans are coming together nicely for the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show on July 30, 2022. According to Jennifer at the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce there will be more vendors this year than last year. Lake Country Cruisers is hoping for a larger turnout of cars and motorcycles!

 

First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid’s Father’s Day Car Show – SLIDE SHOW

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A Family & Faith-Centered Father’s Day Cruisers Car Show

Click the above image to see the larger panorama.

Dateline: 6.20.22 – The First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid hosted a Father’s Day Car Show on Father’s Day morning with the Lake Country Cruisers Car Club. The Cruisers managers, Ron Ellerman, Pete Richie, and Scott Teeters all thought it would be a beautiful way to share the local car culture within a family environment that is a celebration of Fathers. First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid Reverands Ray Cameron and Drew Severance agreed and made it happen!

The Car Show was Father’s Day morning, from 9 am to noon, and held on the grassy courtyard in front of The Genesis Center in downtown Lake Placid. As it was Father’s Day, the church had a special 10 am service and graciously provided hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, ice cream, lemonade, and ice water to everyone in attendance.

The weather started out warm and was hot by noon, so everyone appreciated and enjoyed the cold drinks, ice cream, and sandwiches. Approximately thirty cars filled the courtyard representing a delightful spread of automobiles from classic vintage cars to hot rods, and Corvettes. By 11 am when the church service was over, parishioners strolled about the courtyard in their Sunday finest. Several Cruisers brought their doggies and it was so nice to see so many children. Continue reading “First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid’s Father’s Day Car Show – SLIDE SHOW” →

Father’s Day Car Show at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid this Sunday!

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Are You Busy Father’s Day Morning?

Dateline: 6.15.22 – The nice folks at Highlands News-Sun were kind enough to publish our announcement for this Sunday’s Father’s Day Car Show at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid.

We will be having the show in the grassy courtyard in front of the Genesis Center. We invite you to have some family fun and fellowship. Reverend Drew will be having a special service at 10 am and Cruisers are welcome to attend. Continue reading “Father’s Day Car Show at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid this Sunday!” →

Lake Country Cruisers Family Father’s Day Car Show!

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Bring Your Ride! Bring the Kiddos! Bring the Grand Kiddos! Bring the Nieces and Nephews!

Dateline: 6.5.22 – Well Cruisers, we told you that there will be Car Show action during the summer months. Actually, we will be sponsoring four shows, with our first summer show being, the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid Family Father’s Day Car Show. For Father’s Day, there will be a special one-hour church service from 10 am to 11 pm. Cruisers, you are welcome to attend! Typically, the church has two services, one at 9 am and the other at 11 am.

The date is June 19, 2022 (obviously) and the show will be on the church’s courtyard lawn and there will be NO CHARGE for the show.

The Car Show starts at 9:15 AM and will run to 12 Noon. The church will be supplying hot dogs, bottled water, and “maybe” even ice cream!

The First Presbyterian Church of Lake Placid address is – 118 N Oak Ave, Lake Placid, FL 33852.

When we hold our Cruisers Car Shows at the Lake Placid American Legion we are always delighted when Cruisers bring their young children, adult children, and especially grandchildren.

We believe that the Car Show Culture should be a family affair because it provides an activity that encourages the bonding of the generations; parents, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; with America’s favorite pastime, cars! Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers Family Father’s Day Car Show!” →

Lake Country Cruisers May 2022 Car & Bike Show – BIG Slide Show!

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Dateline: 5.15.22 – South-Central Florida dished up another spectacular summer-like day for Lake Country Cruisers’ last Lake Placid American Legion Car & Bike Show for the season. We will be having four events before we start up at the Legion again on October 8, 2022.

Officially we had 60 cars registered. When you register, you get a car number, later in the show, we pull numbers for Door Prizes. The Cruiser that came the farthest was Ted Pierce, from Alva, Florida (just west of LeBelle) with his 1948 Chevy Pickup. Thanks, Ted!

We also had special guests from South Florida State College, in Avon Park. Professors Dave Alvarez and Garrett Lee brought along some of the students from the Automotive Vocational Training school. Thanks for being with us, guys! After you build your ride, we want to see you and your machine there!

And Dave brought his 2020 Harley-Davidson Livewire electric motorcycle. While we all have “gasoline in our veins”, the new era of electric cars is just around the corner and many of these vehicles are brutally quick and fast. It’ll be an interesting time. Continue reading “Lake Country Cruisers May 2022 Car & Bike Show – BIG Slide Show!” →

Win a 1940 Ford Cookie Jar Full of Mini-Cheer!

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Dateline: 5-11-22 – Greetings Cruisers! Just a quick reminder and a few updates. At this Saturday’s Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show we will be raffling off 1940 Ford Cookie Jar stuffed with little bottles of Cheer for just $5 per ticket! Big THANKS to Gary Pigman for donating the sweet car cookie jar.

We are still working on a possible Father’s Day Car & Bike Show on June 19, 2022.

Also, we are close to getting a date for our next Meet’n Eat luncheon event. The location will be either Beef O’Brady’s or Jaxson’s On the Lake. We’ll let you know as soon as the date and place is confirmed.

This Saturday’s Lake Country Cruisers show at the Lake Placid American Legion, on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid, Florida will be our first Car AND Bike show. So, if you have a two or three-wheeler, bring your machine to the show! We love machines!

So, bring your bike pals, bring the kids, bring the grandkids too!

The Weather Channel is forecasting a partly-cloudy and warm day this Saturday. Lucky for us we can go into the Legion Lounge to cool our heels and get some lunch and beverages.

The show starts at 11 am and we wrap it up around 1:30 with the 50/50 drawing and the runner-up prize of a local restaurant gift certificate. See you Saturday! – Scott, Pete, Ron, Christy, & George