Sandy Kiwanis Cruise In Gears Towards Bigger, Better Event

By Abby Haney, for The Sandy Standard 

July marks the return of famous pancakes and various cars, from classics to the newest models, that catch anyone's eye in the street. Sandy Kiwanis Cruise In propels forward with new changes and continuation of their well-known breakfast car show. 

The 69th annual Sandy Kiwanis Cruise In is on July 26 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year, Kiwanis members Cheryl Richardson, Stann Grubbs, and Kole Pearson will be coordinating the Cruise In. In previous years, the workload fell on one person, but over time, it has been reallocated. Now, Grubbs mans the grill, Pearson drives the mechanics, and Richardson oversees all. 

“She [Cheryl] is what keeps this together and keeps this fresh and new,” Pearson said. 

Numerous community members will enter their cars for showing but the more popular event during the Cruise In is their pancake breakfast which includes ham, eggs, and other items. 

“People came to us and kind of told us, and we started realizing that it’s not a Cruise In, it’s a pancake breakfast that people bring their nice cars to,” Pearson said.

Kiwanis is excited to announce that games and raffles during the Cruise In will be back for this year's event. The games, such as cornhole, will have automatic prizes for younger players including Hot Wheels cars or tracks. Raffles include 50/50 and prize baskets which will be announced every 30 minutes. Due to limited volunteers this year, the Kiwanis Snack Shack will not be available, but they have found an alternative. 

“This year we just don’t have the manpower in the group,” Pearson said. “This year we are still going to do the world famous Kiwanis Bar, the hand-dipped Kiwanis Bar, but for the lunch side of portions, Joe Daddy’s Burgers and Barbecue has agreed to bring down their food cart and help us out.”

The addition of games and raffles is geared towards their goal for the Cruise In, making it family- and kid-enjoyable. Kiwanis recognizes not only do pancakes draw in families and children, but that the younger generation is the future of the event. 

“We’re making this event more and more family- and kid-friendly. And by no means are we trying to push out the hot rods or trying to push out anyone - but we’re trying to keep hot rodding going because if we don’t have younger generations getting into cars and getting into hot rods, or getting into classics, or even wrenching and mechanicing and taking care of these things, we fear it may die out,” Pearson said.

The car show will be run similarly, but with the hope of it being bigger. On average, 120 cars enter but 200-250 cars can fit in the area. Kiwanis hopes to draw more attention to the event and see more cars community members are passionate about. 

“We don’t want it to be the same. We want it to be bigger,” Pearson said. “If you think it’s a hot rod, come on down and enter.” 

To follow the theme of family-friendly, Kiwanis offers car awards aimed towards high schoolers. In total, 17 awards are available during the car show but two focus on students, the High School Hot Rod award and the Student Show Stopper award. 

“Kiwanis theme really is serving children of the world so why not start with let’s make this about children, let’s help children,” Pearson said.

While the event is free, entering a car and filling a plate with breakfast come with a cost. The event's purpose in monetary terms is to raise money for local scholarships. The Cruise In, along with the Sportsman's Breakfast, focuses on raising funds to award Sandy High School seniors money to pursue secondary education. 

“Our proceeds are what funds our scholarship program,” Pearson said.

While this year's Cruise In includes changes, the breakfast will be the same. Like the car show, they want to have it expanded to not only serve the community, but to serve the SHS seniors. 

“We’re not taking anything away from the breakfast. We’re just making it bigger, better, and more family-oreiented,” Pearson said.

The Sandy Kiwanis Cruise In is on July 26 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oral Hull Park. Kiwanis hopes to serve enough breakfast that they will run out. To enter a vehicle in the car show, a $20 fee is required. A breakfast plate costs $12 for adults and $6 for 12 and under. Support the community by taking a break and enjoying a meal while viewing hot rods! 

“By ordering a plate of pancakes, or entering your hot rod, or doing both, you’re actually giving back to the community and helping the community,” Pearson said.