30th Annual Route 54 Cruisers Car Show, A Success

– The Route 54 Cruisers 30th Annual Car Show was held in Downtown El Dorado Springs Saturday, May 13. After a week of rain, we were grateful the sun came out to make the cars shine like jewels. There were over 130 vehicles from as far away as Wichita, KS, and the Kansas City area. A muscle car club from Springfield showed up with over 20 of their cars. A big thank you to all the participants who took a chance on the rain and came to share the day with us.

It was a very busy with registration starting at 8. A delicious breakfast of sausage, biscuits and gravy was served by the POPS Museum. At 10 a.m. kids gathered in the park for a new event just for kids 12 years of age and under. There was a hunt for hot wheels cars then their name was entered in a drawing for a rock climbing Remote Control Car. A very happy young man, Christopher Poole, won the truck. We had over 30 kids show up to participate in the event. Each child got to keep the car they found so we had a happy bunch of kids. A special thank you to Turner Fugate for the idea and to Delbert Bybee and Susan Payne for implementing the idea into a reality. Johnna and Gabby Boch also helped with the fun time for the kids.

Lots of yummy food was served by the El Dorado Springs Band Boosters and the Masonic Lodge. Several participants enjoyed the El Dorado Springs Mexican Restaurant and Cantina with their coupons that were donated. A special thanks to all of these who helped make the day a treat.

A 50/50 pot was collected by Jodi Cauthon and Paula Anglin for the club. Over $225 was given to the lucky recipient. A big thank you to these ladies for their efforts.

Dane Diehl was the lucky winner of the gun raffle this year. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets. A thank you to Wilma Zartman and Richard Carter for manning the gun raffle table. Thank you to Saundra Jansante for making the beautiful quilt.

Once again this year the Stockton American Legion Honor Guard presented colors as Mr. Alumbaugh sang the national anthem. We enjoy closing our show with this wonderful reminder of the great county in which we live.

Each year we have donations for a small auction to be held at the closing ceremony. Several businesses have donated but we especially want to send a thank you to Rick Swank for the awesome lamps and art work made with car parts and to Mark Boch for the items he donated. We want to thank individuals who purchased these great items.

The awards presentation is an exciting time as participants wait anxiously to see if their vehicle qualified for an award. First place, second place and third place awards are presented. The big prize of the day is the Best of Show award. Along with it goes a $300 cash prize. This year’s winner donated back the cash prize to the club. We’re so grateful for judges to come from out of town and donate their time to help with this part of the show. Our thanks go to Chuck Dye, Jeff Cross, Dane Diehl and Billy Breeden. This year’s winner was Ron and Leann Barby of Joplin.

Gabby Boch, daughter of Matt and Johnna Boch, pulled out the lucky winner’s name. Chris Poole, son of Roxanne and Joe Baker, was the proud winner.

We want to thank all the Route 54 Cruisers who pull together and make the show happen. Thanks to our welcoming committee, our registration team and the guys who direct traffic. Our sponsors are an integral part of our show each year and we want to give them a big thank you for their faithfulness.

It’s a privilege to live and serve the El Dorado Springs and Tri-County area. The money earned during the 2023 Route 54 Cruisers will be used for scholarships, family emergencies and community club needs. Thanks once again for an awesome Show.

37 children raced to find Hot Wheel cars in the El Dorado Springs City Park during the 30th Annual 54 Cruisers Car Show on Saturday, May 13. Each child was entered into a grand prize drawing for a remote control Rock Crawler pickup.