Cruisin� the Coast proves �successful� despite hurricane and COVID-19

Despite both the ongoing pandemic and the threat of a hurricane, Cruisin� the Coast was able to pull off a �successful event,� according to the car show’s�executive director and co-founder.

�We knew the COVID issues were kind of working against us as far as attendance goes,� Woody Bailey, who has been in charge of Cruisin� since 2008, said Monday morning. �Of course, you throw in (Hurricane) Delta showing up. It�s pretty amazing that we were able to do all eight days of the event.�

Weather-wise, there were no issues beyond a temporary shutdown on Friday night, however, Bailey did note that the forecast prevented some spectators from making the trek.

�With that forecast coming in, I know we lost a number of spectators, but those who stayed around were treated to some great weather and some great times,”�he said.

As for the cars, Cruisin� officials expected to lose around 1,000 cars from last year�s final number of 8,620. With the combination of COVID-19 and Hurricane Delta, this year�s pre-registered number landed at 6,778�1,842 less than 2019.

�Prior to the event, we felt like with the way our registration was running that COVID may take about 1,000 people away from us from last year,� Bailey continued. �Then, I knew the storm would take us down some more as far as numbers, but 1,842 is really not that bad.�

Looking on to 2021, Bailey hinted that they are expecting some big-time guests to celebrate the event�s 25th anniversary.

�One of the biggest things that we�ve been working on, and we�ve gotten confirmation of it, is that Jay Leno is going to be here�and hopefully, we�ll get The Beach Boys back.�

Next year�s edition of Cruisin� the Coast is currently set for October 3-10.

The post Cruisin’ the Coast proves “successful” despite hurricane and COVID-19 appeared first on News Mississippi.