The ‘Strip’ Comes Alive On Saturday Night
The cell phone and social media may have helped bring about the demise of cruise nights, but on Saturday night, those same technologies helped spread the word and document the event.
Osklaoosa, Iowa – It has been many things over time. ‘Scooping the Loop’ or ‘Cruising the Strip’ often meant summers filled with catching up with friends, and meeting new ones. Over time, that pastime slowly diminished until around the mid-2000’s, it came to an end.
The rumble of a big block Chevy, the cranked-up stereo, a Chinese fire drill, some smoke and lots of smiles and laughter filled the ‘strip’ or ‘loop’ Saturday night. A revival, of sorts, of a time that has passed. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and the occasional mini van, made their way up and down High Ave. The traditional route that some took went from Farmers Parking Lot, which is just east of the American Legion Building, west down High Avenue to the now gone car wash. The other generation remembers a time that they turned around in the parking lot at the east end of the Penn Central Mall, and then returning from the old car wash area.
The plan was simple, to enjoy a pastime that many remember. What happened was that many different generations had the opportunity to share a moment in time.
At the end of April, Oskaloosa News was working on a story that was to focus on what teens and young adults do today, versus those of 25 years ago. We posed a question to our Facebook page, and received a huge response from those who took part.
People of all ages came out on Saturday night to experience ‘Cruise Night’
Buffie Ritz said, “The strip was what Facebook is now. I miss the personal interaction with PEOPLE before computers came along. Some of the best days of my life and greatest memories!”
“Cruised the strip before the mall was built, hung out at farmer’s landing where the cool guys put on smoke shows by burning rubber. In those days where Dr. Salamis used to be a drive through convenience store. Those were the days,” added Kimberly Clark Veldhuizen.
“I sure did cruise the “Strip” It was alot of fun and the “thing” to do then. I met my now husband there and we have been together for over 10 years now. We have started our family here now. I was from Pella and would of never met him if it wasn’t for “The Strip”. I think it was also a great place to meet new friends from around the area, not just from Oskaloosa, but Pella, Knoxville, and surrounding areas. I think it gave us all a connection that we would never have had. Those were the days,” said Kanya L Olson-Waggoner.
That desire to reminisce and re-live a time in their past was one reason why Ryan Wissler started talking to friends about his time spent in Oskaloosa and cruising the strip. He created a Facebook Event Page, ‘Oskaloosa Cruise the Strip Reunion Night’.
Wissler lived in the area, eventually moving away. He recently returned to the area, “and I drove through the strip on a Friday night and I was really saddened because there was not a single car up there. What we did as kids was gone.”
In the end, the Oskaloosa Police had no choice but to curb the excitement of some.
Wissler then turned to friends on Facebook to find out if anyone would be interested in cruising the strip. “I had a lot of response out of it.”
“What was a thought became a reality and we posted the event on Facebook,” says Wissler.
Wissler arrived to the strip just after 9 pm. By that time, cars were rumbling past each other, and horns honked as friends passed each other. “I’ve been giddy since the old car wash down here. I’ve been giggling because there’s so many people up here. This is a community coming together.”
“It’s different generations. It’s different ages. People don’t know each other up here, but we’re all together,” added Wissler.
Another cruise is potentially being looked at in August.
Oskaloosa News will keep you updated if any future nights are planned.
Photos from Saturday night – https://flic.kr/s/aHskdzCBLP and comments to our Facebook question HERE.
