In the beginning...
In 1991, a small group of people with a shared interest in old cars met in the Winky’s parking lot on Jefferson Avenue in Washington, PA. As the number of individuals attending these informal meetings grew, the idea to start a club to share this interest and to have organized events was born. The first official meeting was held on January 14, 1992 at one of the original group member's house and the club was established.
After the club was formed, the group started using the upper parking lot of the McDonald’s Restaurant on Racetrack Road in Meadowlands, PA. The only stipulation for using the space was that the club had to donate to The Ronald McDonald House after each cruise season. T-shirts and sweatshirts soon became available to the members, followed by other items such as hats, stickers, and magnets.
The next order of business was to form a committee, now recognized as the Board of Directors, to lay the framework of the club. The committee met at the McDonald’s Restaurant to organize The Washington Cruisers Car Club on Thursday, November 11, 1992. A checking account was established to replace the shoebox that previously held the funds. On Friday, February 5, 1993 an organizational meeting was held at the County Office Building to adopt the bylaws and to elect an executive Board. At this meeting the club officially became known as The Washington Cruisers Car Club. A general meeting was held on Thursday, February 18, 1993 at Citizens Library, where everyone in attendance received a copy of the bylaws.
The first indoor mall show was at the Franklin Mall on Father’s Day weekend in June 1993. Our next indoor car show was in the Washington Mall in April 1994. This event at the Washington Mall marked the start of our cruise season for many years. In 2007, we went back to the Washington Crown Center…the old Franklin Mall. Presently, the indoor car show is on hiatus until a new location can be secured.Our first Super Cruise was July 25, 1993, boasting over 500 cars in attendance. Our Super Cruise has become a very popular event that draws hundreds of cars to the Washington area every August. Events such as our Saturday Night Cruises and Super Cruise have become annual events for the last 23 years.
We previously held an annual Attention to Details Car Show, which was very popular with participants, but is currently on hiatus. Due to all of the club member participation and support, we are able to donate between $1000 and $2000 dollars to our favorite charity, The Ronald McDonald House, each and every year! Our Club has come a long way in 23 years and we are looking forward to our next 23 years, so please join us!
You're Born… You Die… In Between You Work On Cars.