Ruddell Auto Mall & Ruddell Hyundai will host the annual July “Cruise In” on Friday, July 11. This year marks the 12th year the dealership has hosted the event and this year is slated to be the “Big One.”
“This year’s show will be our largest yet,” said dealer Howard “Howie” Ruddell. “With the additional space of our new Hyundai store, we can comfortably host more cars and more people.”
Members from seven car clubs are expected and individuals and the public are welcome. Co-hosting the event is the Old Timers car club from Bremerton and this year marks its 40th anniversary. “We expect cars from across Western Washington, and we also have people registered and coming down from Canada,” said Old Timers chairman Jerry Scott.
Entertainment at Ruddell Auto Mall will be provided by the band “The Way Back Machine,” while “Fat Chance” will headline at the Hyundai store. The Port Angeles Volunteer Firefighters Association will have a dunk tank featuring local celebrities, with proceeds going to support the Explorer program. Food will be offered for a nominal charge.
Those wishing to display a car can register online or can register the day of the show at the entrance. The club with the most cars on display will receive a $500 gas card. The second-place club will receive $250, while the third-place club will receive $100. There is no charge for admission or for display. Due to the limited number of spaces, project cars (those not completed) are not allowed.
The Cruise In was started 12 years ago by the late H. “Mac” Ruddell in 1996 with the help of Old Timers car club rod run chairman Jerry Scott of Bremerton. After the success in the initial years, the car club and the dealership forged a long-term relationship and the event has grown every year since its inception.
Ruddell Auto Mall and Ruddell Hyundai are open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and can be reached at 452-6822.