Visitors roll in for Cruisin’ the Coast

It’s almost that time of year when hotrod owners and automobile enthusiasts drive in from all over the country. Cruisin’ the Coast 2017 begins next week and visitors are already rolling in. News 25’s Gina Tomlinson gives us a look at how the Coast is gearing up.
Crews are perfecting the beaches, spectator spots are sectioned off and car owners are shining up their rides as the countdown to Cruisin’ the Coast continues. Some visitors from out of town are already on the Coast, like car enthusiast Cliff Simmons. He drove all the way from South Carolina. “I like to come early just to get things kind of set up so when the show starts, we’re ready.”
There are nearly 8,000 cars registered for Cruisin’ the Coast this year. Car lovers from 41 states and Canada and Australia will be here. “The different towns and not everyone is in the same spot at one time because you have so many cars here. If you have them all in one time you wouldn’t be able to see them,” said Simmons.
Watching with Simmons this year are friends who flew in from Alaska. Harold Williams tells News 25 he comes to the Coast to get together for Cruisin’ every year. “It’s the hospitality. Everyone is nice and I like to enjoy the seafood. Crab legs are good.”
The economic impact from Cruisin’ the Coast is tremendous, bringing millions of dollars to the Coast. Gulfport Resident Henry Marshall said, “They’re building back more infrastructures and there’s more people coming for Cruisin’ so you have to get in early to order to really get a prime piece of real estate.”
Highway 90 looks bare right now, but early birds say it’s best to start setting up because come time for Cruisin’ traffic is expected to be bumper to bumper and roadways will be packed with hotrods. Joff Clark with Gulf Coast Exotic Auto said, “Probably about 30 percent of our inventory gets sold during Cruisin’ time.”
For businesses like Gulf Coast Exotic Auto, Cruisin’ is the busiest time of the year. “You get so many enthusiasts on the Coast so we absolutely love it. We prepare for a couple of months prior to that,” said Clark.
“We’ve already registered for coming back next year,” said Simmons.
For a full Cruisin’ the Coast schedule click here.