Cruise Night kicks off
By Adam Testa, The Southern
Saturday, May 3, 2008 10:41 PM CDT

MURPHYSBORO - From the "Go Daddy Go" emblazoned on the front driver's side to the U.S. Marines and Air Force flags on the back, Jerry Hickey of Marion uses his modified 1946 Ford pick-up truck as a tribute to his two sons.

The three simple words on the hood reflect on the family's past, a time when they would all race go karts and the kids would yell "Go Daddy Go" as Hickey drove by them. The flags on the back represent the fact they've grown, left home and joined the military.

While in high school, his sons also drove pick-ups from the 1940s, though they weren't as modified as their dad's rat rod.

"This was king of my anti-establishment statement of the time," Hickey said Saturday, when his car was on display as part of the first Murphysboro Cruise Night of the year.

Chris Hughes, city alderman and event organizer, said cold temperatures and the threat of rain had him a little worried early Saturday. The weather held off, however, and things went better than he expected.

"As always, they still came out," he said.

Cruise Nights will continue the first Saturday of the month through September, and this year Hughes hopes to see things expand. He's trying to coordinate with other local event planners to have coinciding events like movies at the Liberty Theater, as well as working with the DJ to have live dancers in poodle skirts to add to the 1950s atmosphere.

High gas prices may also be a deterrent to some of the usual activities, Hughes said.

"A lot of people won't be cruisin' any more. A lot of them will just be parking now, which is still great just to have them here," he said.

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

351-5031

Ellie