Kutztown kicked off its week-long Bicentennial celebration under a bright sun and blue skies with more than 260 cars featured in its Kutztown Kruizz Saturday, July 25.
“This is the kickoff for the Bicentennial for Kutztown,” said Kutztown Superintendent Kathy Metrick, chairperson of Kutztown Strong. “I think it was a way to get people into Kutztown and having all of these classic cars and then following it up with the movie of American Graffiti. You know it’s just a great marriage. It’s all connected that way. A lot of people worked really hard to bring it off and all these wonderful people brought out their beautiful cars.”
After the car show, The Grease Band played oldies hits in Kutztown Park’s band shell and then the movie, American Graffiti, was played on a big screen that had been set up on the lawn.
Metrick said Kelley Neyhart, vice chairperson for Kutztown Strong, helped to set up Kutztown Kruizz through Kutztown Community Partnership; those involved decided to make Kutztown Strong the beneficiary of any money raised through the event because they wanted the money to come back to the community.
“We’re Kutztown Strong and that’s the school district, the university, the businesses, the community as a whole, politicians, everybody coming together to help keep our kids safe so that they can make positive decisions and not get involved in substance abuse and so forth,” said Metrick.
Cynthia Rissmiller, Fleetwood, said Kutztown did a great job kicking off their Bicentennial celebration.
“We had a fun day at the Kruizz,” she said. “It’s celebrating a wonderful history. It’s a wonderful culture of the people of this area for 200 years and still going strong.”
Her husband, Ty, brought his 1967 Camaro. With their daughter, Charli, they planned on listening to the band and hoped to last through the movie. Cynthia added that they are excited to celebrate the week in Kutztown because her niece, Mary Hess, 6, was selected as Little Miss Bicentennial and will be attending many of the events throughout the week.
Paul Lausch, Ephrata, brought a 1963 Super Lark Studebaker.
“I always liked the street shows and I thought, ‘Ya know what? Let’s take the 63 to that show’,” said Lausch. “Any classic car goes well with their Bicentennial. I just love the street shows. I mean it just brings out the best. I think that’s where all car shows ought to be; on the street.”
Rich Graessel, Bethlehem, said his 1955 Ford Fairlane Skyliner Crown Victoria was one of 1,999 made. He owned the car 26 years and has kept everything pretty much original with the exception of the interior and the paint.
Chuck Durback, Allentown, brought his steel-topped 1955 Ford Crown Victoria. He has had this car 28 years and said everything had been redone except for the paint, which is over 45 years old.
“This proves that this is better to drive this car than to have the horse and buggy. The horse and buggy was 200 years ago; this is much better now,” said Durback.
The classic cars Kruizzed through Kutztown Park after the show. While the Grease Band got ready to play and the outdoor movie screen was set up, the whistle of the steam locomotive, pulling the Kutztown Bicentennial train could be heard from nearby at the Kutztown Train Station.
