Cruzin’ 2 Colby Celebrates 20 Years
If you chat with an Everett lifer of a certain age, you’ll hear stories of fantastic hot rods full of high schoolers driving down Colby Ave in search of good times on Friday and Saturday nights.
Sadly, those American Graffiti-esque evenings are in the past, but every Memorial Day Weekend since 1999, V-8’s roar, the smell of exhaust fills the air and the art of cruising Colby comes back—if only for a weekend.
Cruzin’ 2 Colby celebrates 20 years of hosting its cruise and show ‘n’ shine in downtown Everett. The humble festival has gone from a two-day event to a full-blown long-weekend spectacular with live music, vendors, food and drink and more.
This year the Cruze will feature some new events and machines to ogle along with staples like VW Alley. Ten vintage hydroplanes will be on display in the US Bank parking lot, right by Tony V’s Garage. Speaking of Tony’s, the long-standing punk bar will play host to Saturday’s kickoff party and the live sound competition on Sunday.
Also coming to the Cruze for the first time is a volunteer-run beer garden for both Sunday and Monday on the corner of Wetmore and Hewitt featuring live broadcasts from local radio stations.
Surrounding the beer garden is another first: vintage bicycles. A handful will be on display around the garden Saturday, with a full fleet of vintage two-wheelers to gaze upon Monday.
BEFORE YOU GO
Ready to check out the Cruze? Here are some things to know before you go.
Bring Sunscreen
It’ll be partly cloudy and in the mid-70s for the weekend, so dust off that bottle of sunscreen that’s been under the sink. It’s time to use it again.
It’s Free
It’s totally free! Use the EverPark Garage for free cause it’s the weekend and slip down the alley right to Colby Ave. Easy-peasy.
Don’t Touch!
It goes without saying, but we have to. Car people are protective of their machines, so be sure kids (and yourself) don't put smudges in someone’s pristine candy paint.
Come Hungry, but Expect to Wait
Food and beverages will be plenty, with the new beer garden, food trucks and businesses open downtown, but expect to wait a minute or two. The Cruze really packs in the people.
Wear Your Walking Shoes
You’ll be walking. A lot. Last year’s show spanned Hewitt from Colby to Oakes, so bring your comfy shoes. And do some calf stretches, too.
Take It Easy
The show ‘n’ shine goes from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, so browse at your leisure and take in every chrome bumper and fuzzy dice you run across. The owners of these cars are really nice, too so you can chop it up with your fellow gearheads.
Henry J is the Managing Editor of Live in Everett and has gone to the Cruze every year since 1999.