Cruise to the Woods (Iowa) - always first weekend in October

[TomsResto]

Thought I'd give a quick shout out to those in the midwest that may want to hit next year's "Cruise to the Woods" event here in Iowa... I went this past weekend and had a good time. It's not strictly a pro-touring event, it's also not a strict "old timey" event, it's also not a strict anything event ... I pulled in a modified '69 camaro and I was behind a stock appearing Gen3 corvette, in front of a beautiful '65 Sport Fury and next to a air bagged chopped "rat rod" sleeper pushing 600hp

They setup the "cruise" by having suggested routes from 10 different edges of the state lines to converge in the center of the state in a "spoke/hub" type configuration... everyone piles into the downtown of small town Iowa that literally triples the town's population. The town is estimated to have about 700 residents, and the last 5 years they averaged at least 1200 cars participating in the cruise. The volunteer fire department and others in town volunteer to route traffic and pack everyone 5 wide on the main north/south road through town, with spill over into adjacent side roads. Local businesses and volunteers bring out the folding tables and sell coffee, cookies, water, etc. and everyone just enjoys the fall morning weather walking around checking out each others cars. At 10:30AM the field siren (aka severe weather siren, noon whistle) goes off to advise everyone to return to their car and make the "cruise" together to a larger town north of Stratford up in Fort Dodge. Fort Dodge hosts the traditional "car show" venue that is the destination for the cruise with everyone parking in green space (grass area with trees) and can enter the car show if they like (hang tag with your number for voting, etc.)

The route from Stratford to Fort Dodge is 2 lane highway with slow rolls through small towns where locals sit in lawn chairs, wave, give you thumbs up and frequent kids (some times adults) yell out the "rev it up" or "light 'em up" requests.

I didn't take a ton of pics, as only had my smart phone with me, but I'll post a few... I just enjoy seeing new hell cats next to '69 camaro, blown chargers behind Z06 corvette, a GT-R behind a '70 Chevelle, etc.

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Website for more information
http://www.wccruisers.com/index.html

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