C&T Publications REVOLUTIONS II - April 2015 | Page 45

Cars on State Street Classic Car Show
Written by Ramona Whiteaker
Photos by Ramona Whiteaker

Who does not remember cruisin’ the boulevard on Friday night? With engines roaring, tires squealing, and people watching as you
race up and down the streets of town in your first car, betting that your car is the fastest. Whether it was the 20’s, the 40’s, the 50’s,
the 60’s or the 70’s (as it was for me), our hearts race, or our faces smile as we remember “The Good Old Days”.
In the 1920’s, you may have been crusin’ in a 1917 Model T, listening to Ben Bernie’s “Sweet Georgia Brown”, or Paul Whiteman’s
“Whispering”. In the 1940’s, you may have been riding in a 1940 Studebaker or a 1947 Old’s Convertible, with Nat King Cole’s
“Nature Boy”, or Perry Como’s “Till The End of Time” on the radio. In the 1950’s, you may have been cruising the streets looking for
a race with Bill Haley and The Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock”, or The Platter’s “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”. Or maybe you were
parked with your best girl (or guy), listening to love songs from The Everly Brothers’ “All I Have To Do Is Dream”, or The Chordettes’
“Mr Sandman”. In the 1960’s and 70’s, you were probably cruising in a 1966 GTO, or 1969 Dart Swinger with songs like “Honky Tonk
Woman” by The Rolling Stones, or “The Twist” by Chubby Checker, stopping by the Malt Shop to just hang with the gang and your
best girl.
The kids still cruise the boulevard in their cars, but we had much cooler cars back then like the Camaro’s, the Mustang’s, and the
Nova’s of yesterday. I can hear the laughter and the music, “Bye Bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy
was dry”. Boy, those were the “Good Old Days”!
What has me thinking about the Antique Cars and Muscle cars of yesteryear? The 8 th Annual Cars on State Street Car Show that was
held on June 7th, 2014 in Madison, Wisconsin. This event was organized by the Greater State Street Business Association with the
Support of the Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID). The event was free and family friendly.
If you have never been to Madison, State Street runs from the Capital Square all the way down to the University of Wisconsin
campus. Locally owned businesses line both sides of the street, with small shops selling art from local artists to restaurants, and
bars. The Civic Center is located on State Street where one can enjoy a play or a concert. The Car Show is one event held to promote
these small businesses and restaurants. The Farmer’s Market is another way to promote local business and is held every Saturday on
the Capital Square from April to October where you can purchase produce and flowers to support our local farmers.
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