Community Corner
# 90 – Thursday Night Cruise in Kings Park
Rev up your engines, the Thursday night car rally at the Kings Park Plaza is back.
Residents start your engines and get ready for the next item on our list; the Thursday night car rally at Kings Park Plaza.
The rally, which is in its third year, is held every Thursday night from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. April through October.
Open to all, the lot fills up with classic cars spanning anywhere from the ‘30s to the ‘80s. At any given time you can find a ’36 Pontiac, a ’57 Cadillac, a ’67 Shelby, or a ’73 Dodge Charger.
Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It was Kings Park resident Dave Pendola, Charlie Gardner, president of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, and Kevin Denis of who first came up with the idea for the rally.
“It’s positive and brings people together.” said Pendola. "There are times in the summer when there are almost 250 cars on display, families come down. It’s a community event.”
Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It was out of this rally that the East to West Classic Cars Club sprang. Bob Marketta, Kings Park resident, club member and owner of a ’69 Mach 1, was one of the first to participate three years ago.
To Marketta, it’s a place where young people can come by and learn about cars from an older generation.
"It’s a fun place, where people from all walks of life can meet and share their love of cars," said Marketta.
More than just a car show, it is also a vehicle for charity work. Last June, through the efforts of many, including Denis and East to West, a fundraiser was held for Island Harvest. This year on June 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a fundraiser for Hope For The Warriors, an organization whose goal is to help U.S. service members and their families who have been affected by injuries or death in the line of duty.
If some of the cars seem familiar it may be because you saw them at the . Many of these cars were used to escort seniors down the parade route and will be used again next year to lend a helping hand.
Kings Park resident Ed McElhone Jr. says this years rally is off to a great start and he looks forward to seeing participants and spectators week after week.
Get your motor running and head out to see the Kings Park’s Thursday Night Car Rally and see why it makes our 100 Things to Do in Kings Park list.
Category: Outdoors, Recreation, Automobiles
Price: Free
Season: April through October. Every Thursday night. Kings Park Plaza, 38 Indian Head Rd. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
