GRAVETTE -- After several weeks of sheltering at home and practicing social distancing, folks were beginning to get cabin fever and wishing for an activity to get them out of the house.
Shane Hargrave and his fiancee Jenny Lambert came up with an event that helped relieve the boredom. The couple, along with Michael Ratledge, who has cooperated with them since the beginning, started a series of cruise nights for car enthusiasts and spectators who are just looking for a fun family outdoor activity.
Coming home from Bentonville in early April, the couple noticed an oncoming sports car that reminded Shane of past activities he had organized as a deputy sheriff in Enid, Okla.
Hargrave said Gravette looked lonely when they drove back into town and he told Jenny they should get together a cruise to give the residents something to do while following Gov. Asa Hutchinson's guidelines. He told her he remembered how people would cruise up and down the "main drag" in Enid every Friday, and they agreed this would be an activity they would be willing to organize.
After consulting with Police Chief Chuck Skaggs and discussing potential concerns with him, Hargrave called the manager at the Sonic Drive-in, who also thought it was a great idea.
He posted his intentions on social media and the response was so overwhelmingly positive he was encouraged to move forward with the idea. Ratledge contacted Hargrave just after the post and the two discussed a route and ways to promote the cruise.
The first cruise night was held April 10, after only a week of planning. Hargrave said 25 to 30 cars showed up and cruised through town for about two hours. He was elated with the turnout, he said, since they had only been promoting it for about a week.
"During the first cruise, we met a gentleman who came from Claremore, Okla., to show his Camaro. That's when Jenny and I knew that we weren't the only ones feeling lost without the weekend car events, so we had to do it again."
The next morning, messages began coming in asking about when the next event would be, thanking the two for bringing back memories and some expressing regrets that they had missed it.
Hargrave and Lambert decided to hold the event every two weeks from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Hargrave sprang into action and contacted KURM to announce the plan and sent email to many area car clubs to advertise the event.
Severe thunderstorms were forecast for the evening of the second cruise, so only about 15 vehicles participated. The next morning, on the spur of the moment, Hargrave contacted members of area car clubs and scheduled a cruise for that night.
Surprisingly, with less than 12 hours notice, 45-50 participants showed up and a number of spectators parked along Arkansas 59.
Skaggs and Mayor Kurt Maddox thought the event was a good idea and it had been successful, with everyone participating in an orderly manner. There have been two cruises since then with increasing numbers each time.
The last cruise -- May 22 -- saw the largest turnout yet, with a little over 100 vehicles cruising down the route and many residents watching from local businesses.
"In honor of cruise night, The Lion Stop and Gravette Station dropped their gas price to 99 cents a gallon. We understand that the businesses of Gravette were positively impacted by the cruise night."
The next cruise is planned for Friday at 5:30. Hargrave said the earlier starting time is designed to honor the Class of 2020 seniors and involve them in the cruise night. More than 100 vehicles are expected to participate, along with spectators spread out along Arkansas 59.
Hargrave said spectators have been parking at CV's Family Foods, Gravette Station, Ozark Credit Cars, El Bohemio, First Christian Church, Casey's General Store, Hard Luck Cafe, Arvest Bank, City Hall, Gravette Police Department, The Lion Stop, Simple Simon's and Harps Food Store.
All street-legal vehicles are welcome, Hargrave said, and he's encouraging members of car clubs to participate. Gravette police officers will be on hand to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable evening. Persons with questions may call or text Hargrave at (479) 256-1602.
"We would like to give a special thanks to Modern Mopar Muscle of the Ozarks for their dedication and display of vehicles at the last two events," Hargrave said. "We hope that more citizens will come out and enjoy the cruise while celebrating this year's seniors and their accomplishments."
NW News on 06/05/2020