PORT ANGELES — The annual Ruddell Cruise In resumes Friday after a break for COVID-19 in 2020.
This will be the 25th edition of the July event that draws people and their cars from all over the North Olympic Peninsula and several states.
“We’re super excited about being able to do it,” said dealer Howie Ruddell, owner of Ruddell Auto at 110 Golf Course Road.
“The reaction this year has been off the charts,” he added.
Responses on social media and elsewhere have led to the expectation of more than 2,500 people at the show, which will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
Members of a number of different car clubs — including the Port Townsend Rakers and other Peninsula car clubs — are expected, and individuals are welcome as well.
The Ruddell Cruise In is open to the public free of charge. Due to the limited number of spaces, project cars (those not completed) and post-1986 cars are not allowed.
“This is an opportunity for all of our employees to give back to the community and to our clients and to say thank you,” Ruddell said. “That’s really what this is about. It’s a customer appreciation event extraordinaire.”
Live music from the band The Works will set the tone for the evening’s activities.
A celebrity benefit dunk tank will earn funds for the Captain Joseph House Foundation. Burgers and hot dogs will be offered for a nominal charge by the Knights of Columbus.
The Fog Town coffee trailer will be on site as will be the Port Angeles Whiskey Wagon, which will serve a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Four trophies will be awarded: Best of Show, People’s Choice, Heritage and Farthest Distance Traveled. The record for the latter was a participant from Grand Forks, N.D.
Door prizes totaling more than $4,000 will be handed out.
Co-hosting the event will be the Old Timers car club from Bremerton. The Friday night Cruise In is a free event that kicks off a weekend-long rally for the Old Timers Car Club.
“We expect not only local cars, but some from across Washington,” said Old Timers past president Jerry Scott.
“This is both a great event and a big one too, and with some good weather, we are expecting this year’s Cruise In to set another new attendance record.”
The Ruddell Cruise In was started in 1996 by the late H. “Mac” Ruddell with the help of Scott.
