Cruise on Central arises like a “Phoenix” twice yearly, Central Avenue in Phoenix, AZ becomes a magnet for classic cars, street rods and anything on wheels.
Back in the '60s, the teenagers cruised along this same Central Avenue on the weekends in their cars. Park Central Mall, Phoenix’s first indoor shopping center, was the epicenter of the cruise. Of course there was a Bob's Big Boy along the route and plenty of other vacant parking lots to pull into.
But eventually the property owners had enough and the police "encouraged” the drivers to move along to other spots. They went farther north to another shopping center, Metrocenter Mall, and even to the east settling along Main Avenue in Mesa, AZ. But officials there also cracked down and cruising sadly died out for a spell.
In the early 2000's, an unofficial “unsanctioned" cruise occurred twice a year along Central Avenue again, focused on the now nearly dormant, shopping center. Cars and trucks would show up and enjoy the spontaneous show of muscle and classic cars.
Eventually the cruise became more organized and a local promoter has taken on the task of coordinating this twice yearly cruise – “Cruise on Central.” People come from all over the state to join the show. Not much has changed over the ensuing years, except now a light rail track runs smack down the middle of Central Avenue. Cars show up early, people park in adjacent lots and for a while the local police tolerate mild demonstrations of car enthusiasm – burnouts and some sparks flying from scraping cars – are accepted. Normally the cruise is the second Saturday in April and October, so Oct. 11, 2014 should be the next happening event.
Enjoy this selection of pictures and see ya’ on the road!