22nd Annual Cruisin Underway In OC Area

OCEAN CITY -- One of the largest hot rod shows on the East Coast, the 22nd Annual Cruisin Ocean City, returned yesterday to Ocean City and will continue through the weekend.

The nationally recognized event attracts more than 3,500 customs, hot rods, street machines, classics and more from over 20 states plus Canada. The 22nd Annual Cruisin will have more than 10,000 event participants taking part in various car shows at the Convention Center on 40th Street, the downtown Inlet parking lot and various citywide locations.

Scheduled to appear at this year's Cruisin, from the hit TV show Swamp People, is "The Gator Queen Liz.” Liz will be at Cruisin Friday and Saturday signing autographs, posing for pictures and talking about life in the swamp.

Also joining in on the fun from The Brady Bunch, Mike Lookinland, who starred as Bobby Brady, will be at the show Friday, Saturday and Sunday for meet and greets, photo opportunities and autographs. Additional entertainment includes live music by DNR, celebrity Stars Deejay, Cruisin Gold Deejay and more.

Another great feature activity held as part of Cruisin is the Express Auctioneer's Hot Rod and Custom Car Auction. This year it is a two-day event with auctions yesterday and Friday May 18 inside the Convention Center. Cars scheduled to go across the auction block include a 1971 Boss Mustang (matching numbers motor), 1969 Plymouth Road Runner (numbers matching), a 1971 Cuda (numbers matching) and more. For a more detailed car list, visit www.occollectorcars.com.

The preview will begin at 9 a.m. and the live auction begins at noon both days. In addition to the Collector Car Auction, there will be a Special Olympics Charity Auction on Saturday, May 19 inside the Convention Center. The Charity Auction will feature sports memorabilia, antiques, collectibles and more. Over 200 items will be auctioned with the proceeds going to a great cause. The preview will start at 10 a.m. and the live auction begins at noon.   

New this year, Saturday Night at Hooper's Crab House in West Ocean City, Golden Touch Band will be performing. The concert starts at 7 p.m. and is free to all Cruisin event participants. Organizers remind attendees to make sure to bring your Cruisin badge. Golden Touch plays a variety of 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and Motown, sure to have you dancing the night away.

Some of the country’s top national names will be showcasing their products in the manufacturers midway at the Inlet parking lot all 4 days of Cruisin including AAA Mid-Atlantic, Billet Specialties, Bimbo's Xtreme Polishes, Chevy Performance, Demon Carburetors, Flaming River, Flowmaster Exhaust, Fluid Film, Gold Key Resorts, Holley Performance, House of Kolor, KC Green Energy, Lucas Oil, Meguiar's, Miller Electric, Performance Automatic, Prestolite, The Right Stuff, Roush Performance, Royal Purple, Slide-Lok, Speedway Motors, Summit Racing, Tremec, and Wiley X Eyewear.

At the Convention Center, attendees will find Uncommon Flagpoles and many other vendors selling automotive merchandise along with arts, crafts, jewelry, t-shirts plus lots of other specialty items both inside and outside.

Cruisin Ocean City is open to spectators from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18 and 19 at the Convention Center and Inlet Parking Lot. On Sunday, May 20, the show is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Inlet Parking Lot with the awards ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Convention Center. General spectator admission is $10, good at all locations, children under 14 are free with an adult.