Calling All Cars: Come Out to Caste Village Car Cruise

Before there were hybrids and Zipcars, there were big beauties made out of nothing but steel, chrome and a lot of hard work. Even though the way cars are made has changed drastically over the years, many people are still nostalgic for the grand rides of yesteryear.

The Caste Village Merchants Association sponsors a weekly event with classic-car enthusiasts in mind. The Caste Village Car Cruise occurs between 4 and 8 p.m. in the parking lot every Sunday from April to October, as weather permits.

While the event appeals mostly to classic-car fans, it also draws a large number of folks who are into muscle cars, contemporary cars, foreign cars and motorcycles, as well as those who are just looking to have a good time.

CVMA President Sherry Frisch, of , said that the car cruise gives car buffs the chance to connect with others who share their passion while enjoying local food, drink and festivity.

Frisch emphasized that the car cruise is a family-friendly affair that is also open to children and pets accompanied by adults.

At its most basic level, the car cruise is an informal car show. There’s no competition or judgment, no organized activities or procedures. People simply park in the Caste Village lot to display their cars and/or check out other autos.

While they’re viewing the vehicles, attendees are entertained by a deejay paid for by the CVMA. From week to week, the deejay differs, as the CVMA employs deejays Ray, Charlie Brown and Glenn Raymer in regular rotation.

Many Caste Village merchants offer extended summer Sunday hours or special menu selections to accommodate car-cruise attendants.

For example, Frisch’s has three Sunday specials, which each include a full meal and beverage. Though the specials vary from any Sunday to the next, at least one special reliably revolves around the roasted chicken for which Frisch’s is fairly famous.

Over the course of every summer Sunday evening, the parking lot fills up until it is packed with fabulous automobiles and the people who adore them. Many visitors bring fold-up chairs with them to camp out beside their vehicles.

residents Fran and Tess Lippert bring chairs with them to sit next to their cherry-red 1972 Chevrolet convertible. The Lipperts said that they come out to the event every week that it runs. Fran said that he likes showing his car and spending the time with his friends.

The car cruise also attracts people from other neighborhoods, such as Robinson and South Fayette townships. South Fayette resident and longtime WTAE-TV photographer Gary O’Data frequents the event. O’Data’s black 1966 Chevy Chevelle Super Sport is decked out with era swag and mementos of the car’s history and awards.

Frisch said that the car cruise has been going strong for eight years now. It’s one of many area events presented by the CVMA. Other notable events include the weekly on Mondays and an  slated for the evening of June 24, this year.

For more information on these events and others, visit the Caste Village website.