Cruz'n Eureka 2024 by North Coast Journal

Welcome to Cruz’n Eureka!

SINCE 1993, Cruz’n Eureka has become an iconic annual event for the car community here on the North Coast. The last 28 shows raised over $200,000 to support local youth, and with local community support, we hope 2023 will be a record year.

In the early ’90s, the vehicle cruise scene had become an issue on 4th and 5th Streets. All three lanes north and south were often full of Gear Head car people. While for all practical purposes, it was a huge social gathering on Friday night, sometimes lasting into the early morning. We suspect Caltrans and the City were forced to do something, so an ordinance was created – “no more legal cruising in Eureka.”

City of Eureka police oﬃcer and champion for Boys & Girls Club, Lance Madsen, who has since passed, and a small band of others, started a car show in Henderson Center. The event was to become Cruz’n Eureka and made into a beneﬁt for our local Boys & Girls of the Redwoods.

Joe Porras, Director of Facilities for Redwoods Community College District from 1988 to 2006, Tim Marsh and other car enthusiasts, continued the show in Henderson Center for around 10-12 years. Joe brought Make-A-Wish into the fold of the car show. At the time, the Make-A-Wish representatives came from the Bay Area. Laurie ThietjeFurtado, wife of Mike Standridge, who also helped with the show, became the Make-A-Wish representative for the North Coast.

The car show eventually outgrew Henderson Center and was moved to Halverson Park where the great cruise route through Old Town began and the car show grew to encompass 2nd Street from C Street to G Street. There was a Sock Hop and while it was a lot of fun, there was never enough participation to keep it going.

Unfortunately, Laurie’s health began to decline (the problem with doing too much!). Laurie was aware of Dale Warmuth’s and Sondra Kirkley’s involvement with the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods. She asked if Dale and Sondra were interested in taking over the event. Dale, Sondra, Tim O’Brien and his wife Teresa, Jason Henderson (who has since passed) all continued to show their interest in cars and in the welfare of kids of the North Coast.

Sign Ups and Registration

Visit the website to register for the car and bike show and other events, reserve vendor booth space, or pre-order t-shirts.

T-Shirts & Hoodies

A limited amount of T-Shirts and Hoodies in black only will be available for purchase at the Car & Motorcycle Show on Saturday, September 7.

Registration Cars/Trucks – $35

Motorcycles – $20

THURSDAY, SEPT. 5

6pm – POKER RUN

Enter for $10 per hand

STARTS at Wharﬁnger Building, 1 Marina Way

ENDS at Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods Eureka Teen Center, 939 Harris Street, Harris & K streets

7:30pm – SHOW & SHINE

Eureka Teen Center, Harris & K streets

No registration required

Free Event - Everyone is welcome!

Tugboat Charlie’s 12-hour, slow-smoked brisket dinner

$20 suggested donation

FRIDAY, SEPT. 6

10am-Noon SHOW & SHINE

Henderson Center between E & F streets on Grotto - Free Event!

2-5pm

KINGSVIEW PARTNERSHIP SHOW & SHINE

Kingsview Partnership’s Show & Shine at 205 I St., Eureka Raﬄe prizes and music - Free Event!

4-5:30pm

MCCREA MOTORS CHECK-IN, MEET & GREET BBQ

Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods Eureka Teen Center, Harris & K streets. BBQ tickets are $15. Anyone is welcome – preregistration is suggested.

6-7 pm

EUREKA CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP FIAT

CRUZ’ THRU OLD TOWN

Cruz entry is $10 per car or motorcycle.

7:30pm

PREMIER OIL CHANGE’S DRIVE-IN MOVIE

Showing Talladega Nights at the Eureka Teen Center, Harris & K streets. Tickets are $10.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7

7am PARKING

Car & Motorcycle Show parking at 2nd & C streets in Old town

8am SETUP

Street Fair Vendor setup starts 10am-4pm

CAR & MOTORCYCLE SHOW, STREET FAIR AND RAFFLE

11am CAR SOUND OFF

Corner of 1st & E streets. There will be three awards!

Noon-3pm

LEGO CAR SHOW On the Gazebo

Awards begin at 3pm.

Car Show Categories A panel of judges will select your car category, and participants will vote for three awards: Best of Show, Best Paint, and Coolest Cruz’er. The Coolest Cruz’er award is chosen from the participant of Friday night’s cruise. Motorcycle Show Categories Awards will be given out in several categories.