This story originally appeared in the Centre County Gazette.
The Historic Bellefonte Cruise is making a return for its 35th anniversary over Father’s Day weekend. The Cruise, which takes place in downtown Bellefonte, will be held on Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15.
The Bellefonte Cruise has been a Father’s Day tradition in Centre County since its debut in 1988. This year would have marked the 36th event had it not been canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think this event is so successful and is able to keep coming back each year — for 35 years now — because we all try to work together. Not just the people who plan, but everyone who participates in it, the attendees, the car owners. It’s very community-focused,” Dot Davidson, a longtime organizer and volunteer for the Cruise, said.
The Bellefonte Cruise takes over the streets of Bellefonte to display an array of classic and vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles. In addition to viewing antique automobiles, guests flock to the Bellefonte Cruise for live music, food, family activities and the opportunity to spend time with the community.
Cruise attendees can also explore the wealth of small businesses, restaurants and shops in downtown Bellefonte during the event.
“I think it’s good for the town. It’s good for families to come together with their fathers, to support the people who do the work on restoring these vehicles,” Davidson noted.
The Cruise will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 14, with an open cruise. Car enthusiasts and collectors alike will parade their vehicles around downtown Bellefonte, followed by a traditional sock hop.
There will be no shortage of fun on Saturday, June 15. From the car show and live entertainment to “Bike Games” and a jitterbug dance contest, there’s something for everyone at the Historic Bellefonte Cruise. The event will conclude on Saturday night with a ceremony for awards in more than 30 classic car and motorcycle classes on the Diamond.
One of the class categories that’s been gaining popularity among spectators over the years is the “Rat Rods.” A “Rat Rod” is commonly known as a custom car with a deliberately worn-down and unfinished appearance, such as lacking paint, having rust and even parts made from cast-off or nonautomotive items.
All kinds of vehicles will be featured at the Cruise, rain or shine. Other class categories include a kid’s class, Corvettes, European cars, antique vehicles, street rods and more. While little ones may not be able to participate in the open cruise, they can enter anything that can be pushed, pulled or ridden in the kid’s class category for judging.
“I love history,” Davidson recalled. “It’s nice to see somebody start working on a car, which usually takes years before it’s done, and be able to bring it out and show it.”
The 35th annual Historic Bellefonte Cruise is welcoming some new additions this year worth looking forward to. Dennis Gage of the television show “My Classic Car with Dennis Gage” will be making his way around the Cruise on the hunt for unique vehicles that catch his eye. The live entertainment has always been a highlight, and this year, the event has added a third stage by the train station, in addition to the main stage in front of the courthouse and second stage on East Howard Street.
The Bellefonte Cruise also looks to give back by providing scholarships to local high school students. Students at Bellefonte Area High School are awarded scholarships each year to help further their education and careers. In addition to the student scholarships and the car show awards, the Cruise has several other awards honoring founding individuals and those who have left a lasting impact on the annual event.
If you’re looking for a memorable way to spend this Father’s Day weekend, look no further than the Historic Bellefonte Cruise. This local tradition truly has something for everyone to enjoy while bringing together families, friends and the community.
“It’s amazing how big the reach has gotten and how every year it’s expanded and brought in a new audience,” Davidson remarked. “Hopefully, it will continue on for another 35 years.”
