River to River Retro Road Trip to Overnight in Grinnell
Two hundred people are expected to arrive in Grinnell driving classic cars on October 10 via historic U.S. Route 6. Cruise participants will park their cars around Central Park from 5 to 7 p.m. and invite the public to view the cars or bring their own classic cars to the park for the evening.
“We are excited to make Grinnell our overnight stop this year. The architecture and atmosphere is remarkable,” said Dave Darby, executive director of the Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association. “Grinnell has a great grasp on historic charm and preservation.”
The annual Retro Road Trip car cruise will depart from Davenport on Friday, Oct. 10, overnight in Grinnell that evening, and travel to Council Bluffs the following day. The cruise ends on Sunday, Oct. 10, in Winterset. The Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association organizes the cruise, which is in its fourth year. The road trip invites anyone with a classic car to join in a trip across Iowa on the original historic alignments of US Highway 6. The credo for the road trip is “No Interstates — No Chain Restaurants. Just Mom & Pops and Two-Lane Blacktop”.
As of October 1, 190 people have pre-registered for the cruise and organizers expect more to join. Cars from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and newer will be participating.
“We are very excited that cruise organizers chose Grinnell as an overnight stop this year,” said Emily Counts, Grinnell tourism director. “I have been working with them on this event since last fall and am looking forward to welcoming their participants in Grinnell. The organizers have been very complimentary of Grinnell’s history and architecture, and we expect the cruise participants to be equally impressed with our community.”
The cruise will stop in Victor for a beverage break from 3 to 4:15 p.m. on October 10. Then the caravan of classic cars will follow Highway 6 west to Grinnell. Grinnell Vintage Auto Club members, who have been assisting with planning of the Grinnell overnight stop, will be routing cars through Grinnell to downtown. They will follow Highway 6 into Grinnell, turn south onto Oak St. and then west onto 4th Ave. The cars will park around Central Park.
“We invite residents to welcome cruise participants to the community by gathering along the route and viewing the cars in Central Park that evening,” said Rusty Clayton, event organizer. “Grinnell residents are also invited to bring their own classic cars to Central Park. These is your opportunity to come cruise, watch the cars, and grab a delicious meal at a local restaurant while you’re out. Let’s flood the streets with classic cars.”
Cruise participants will display their cars in Central Park from 5 to 7 p.m. and then dine at Grinnell’s local restaurants. The Iowa Transportation Museum will welcome participants for a reception later that evening. Participants will be spending the night at several Grinnell hotels. Cars are expected to depart from Grinnell via Highway 6 at 8 a.m. on October 11.
“The Iowa you’ll discover on Highway 6 is rich with history, scenery, small town friendliness, and great food,” Darby said. “It’s a completely different driving experience. Many of our participants are repeats, having been along for every trip.”
For more information about the River to River Retro Road Trip, visit http://usroute6iowa.org/Cruises/River-to-River-Retro-Road-Trip/2014/Trip-Info or contact the Route 6 Tourist Association via (563) 499-8211.
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