Organizers aim to bolster Escondido's Cruisin' Grand with new features

By: DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | Thursday, September 27, 2007 10:23 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- A campaign to revitalize the city's Cruisin' Grand classic car shows may include changes to the trophy ceremony, additional theme nights, reserved spaces for participants, extending the event one block eastward or special discount menus at nearby restaurants.

Such changes were among more than two dozen suggestions offered during a Thursday night "brainstorming session" organized by the Downtown Business Association. The session was attended by more than 60 Cruisin' Grand sponsors, business owners and frequent participants in the weekly shows.

Officials from the association, which owns and organizes Cruisin' Grand, said Thursday's meeting was called because attendance and merchant business at the car shows is "down considerably" this season. Completing its eighth year tonight, Cruisin' Grand runs from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday from April through September.

Jim Tisch, co-chair of the Cruisin' Grand planning committee, told the audience gathered at A Taste of Florence restaurant that his goal was to increase attendance at the shows, which is typically estimated at 3,000 people per session, and to make sure downtown merchants benefit.

"We're always looking for ways to keep it fresh," said Tisch. "We think we need to make some changes to make it a little healthier."

David Barkin, president of the association's board of directors, said Thursday's meeting was prompted by a recent survey indicating that a large majority of Cruisin' Grand sponsors and participants believe the event needs some upgrades.

"Like any wonderful event, sometimes you need to give it a face-lift," said Barkin, who led the brainstorming session.

Much of Thursday's session focused on the trophy session at Cruisin' Grand, which is organized by the event's car club adviser, Steve Waldron.

"The awards ceremony seems to be a little stale," said downtown attorney Sydney Kirkland, who suggested that a special ramp might encourage more people to stick around for the trophy presentations. "The cars seem to be parked haphazardly."

Debra Rosen, the association's chief executive, suggested that the trophy session should occur at 7 or 7:30 p.m., instead of 8 p.m.

"When we do the awards show at 8 o'clock, you really can't see the cars because it's dark," Rosen said.

Adding a weekly "people's choice" award was also suggested, and some sponsors said they would like to choose the winners of special awards they could present.

Another issue discussed Thursday was the scarcity of parking spots on Grand Avenue, which is the centerpiece street for the event.

Some people suggested that car clubs should receive reserved spots in advance so they feel no pressure to arrive early each Friday and jockey for position, a practice that some business owners said clogs parking and prevents the public from shopping and eating downtown during Friday afternoons.

Others suggested that more side streets should be opened up to classic cars, which could alleviate some of the congestion on Grand. Another person suggested that diagonal parking might help solve the problem.

Fran Ronalds, owner of the Sculpture Salon, said the event should be extended one block east to Ivy Street to include more downtown businesses.

Some said Cruisin' Grand would draw more people if there were theme nights for Chevy, Dodge or other makes, and others said special nights should be reserved for classic car owners from other cities, such as San Marcos or Poway.

One person suggested that the start time should be delayed until 6 p.m., while others said the Cruisin' Grand season should be extended a few extra weeks or months.

Most of the commentary was positive and quite jovial, but Steve Koonce of Stephen's Custom Jewelry said he would like the event curtailed to twice a month because it adversely affects his business.

Other suggestions included adding sock hops to the event, creating a special area for cars on sale and encouraging some "pricey" restaurants to offer discount menus during Cruisin' Grand.

Rosen said the suggestions would all be considered this fall by the association board, and that some would be presented to the Cruisin' Grand planning committee for implementation.

Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.

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11 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Lisa wrote on Sep 28, 2007 12:08 AM:The Cruisin Grand planning committee co-chair said they're "looking for ways to keep it fresh," and "we think we need to make some changes to make it a little healthier." Well, if he honestly means that, then he should consider the following possible reasons for the car show's attendance being "down considerably". The city council majority has brought alot of negative attention to Escondido – Examples: the supposed hordes of illegal immigrants; rental ban lawsuit; parking ban ordinance; crime/gang problems; traffic checkpoints; failure to stay within our budget; public dispute with PPH and subsequent ordinance regarding location of new hospital; & Quality of Life Issues. These issues have not promoted the City of Escondido. As a matter of fact, Escondido's reputation has been severely damaged over the last five years. The city council certainly has "talked a good fight", but the results has left them "eating crow" alot more than not. So...if the DBA & Cruisin Grand planning committee want to freshen up Cruisin Grand & create a healthier event...then vote out Council Members Sam Abed & Ed Gallo in 2008. These two have been wallowing in bringing Escondido's problems to light, but they really haven’t done anything significant and lasting to change Escondido's problems! Two new fresh faces will definitely be a healthy change for Escondido!

Not so sure wrote on Sep 28, 2007 6:34 AM:I agree with Lisa on some of her points but there's a flip side to the equation as well... To the Cruisin Grand Committee - think about not allowing the same cars to park in the same spot EVERY SINGLE FRIDAY. Once you've walked the Grand one night there'll be no sense going back since you'll only see the same cars parked in the same space with the same people parked in the same chairs on the sidewalk. Been there, seen it, done it, no sense going back. Perhaps the "theme nights" will eleviate that problem.-

Robert24 wrote on Sep 28, 2007 8:04 AM:Lisa, this is a fun event, not a soap box for your agenda on how you perceive Escondido's image to be. Escondido, for the record, does have an image problem; low income families and a sanctuary city for illegals. Abed, Waldron and Gallo have worked hard to clean that up, and Crusin' Grand is a great example. Quit yer bellyachin' and enjoy the last Crusin' Grand this season!

WE DO have a ton of wrote on Sep 28, 2007 8:53 AM:illegal immigrants living in Escondido, Lisa it is a FACT. I like the every other week idea. Been once or twice you have seen them all.

Mac wrote on Sep 28, 2007 9:19 AM:Our family enjoys going to crusing Grand. We live in San Marcos (no downtown) and we love to just have dinner and "walk around" afterwards...it's something fun to do (outside) instead of just going home after having a nice dinner. My twelve year old said yesterday that it would be fun if downtown Escondido did a Halloween (Cruisin' Grand) theme on the Friday or Saturday before Halloween....She was so dissapointed when I reminded her that tonight is the last night!

A Change would be Good wrote on Sep 28, 2007 9:29 AM:Crusin Grand is grand for those who love old souped up cars, but for those who simply want to have a quiet dinner and do some shopping on a Friday night, it is a reason to avoid the downtown area. Maybe cutting it back to a few nights a month would bring the regular restaurant/shopping crowd back to our old haunts. I agree with Robert24, it is because the council has addressed the issues of illegals, crime and gang activity that those of us with high disposable incomes are willing to give the city another chance and spend our money downtown. We just aren't car people...

April wrote on Sep 28, 2007 9:34 AM:Escondido does have these problems that Lisa listed. Why should it be swept under the rug? I have lived in Escondido for 29 years and it has changed considerably for the worst! I Love to go on Friday nights to Crusin Grand it is a great place to Eat, and visit with friends, but the beauty of this must not just be focused on Grand avenue. This city needs to clean up ALL of the city. Is was a sad day the first time I heard Escondido refered to as "Mexcondido" but drive around and LOOK and you will see it is the truth!! I want what ever it takes to get the illegal's out of the city, I'm tired of grafitt from the gangs, stolen cars each week and the high crime that has invaded this city! We lost a great resturant ,Boll Weivels on Valley parkway to a laundermat! What does Escondido need another laundermat, let me guess... WE need Council members like Sam Abed, Marie Walden and Ed Gallo to keep this issue alive and not buried...like so many people want. We need this council to enforce issues and if it takes the Escondido Police to do random checkpoints...Wonderful! I have 3 children that drive and I DO NOT want unlicensed drivers on the road,PERIOD! So having these checkpoints is a small inconvience for the safety of our city street! As far as Crusin Grand, add more local bands, mix up the cars and have diferent types of contest, if it's too dark bring in lights. It is a fun place on a Friday night!

Hooray! It's over!! wrote on Sep 28, 2007 12:38 PM:Finally, a six month respite from the noise, pollution and traffic generated by this so-called "great event". I can't believe that some were sugesting making CG run LONGER! I admit, I'm not into old cars but with the points being made about parking, seeing the same cars over and over, declining attendance and reduced business for shop owners (the entire point of this exercise), it should be clear to anyone that it's time to scale it back. How about once a month, year round? Even every two weeks would be OK if some changes were made. Otherwise this event just continues on as "fun" for some and a big headache for most everyone else.-

Robert wrote on Sep 28, 2007 4:18 PM:Cruisin' Grand is one of the best cruise night events in Southern California. I try to attend as often as I can and always make a point to eat at one of the many fine restaurants. On more than one occasion we have taken out of town guests to the event because of the friendly atmosphere.

Regardless wrote on Sep 28, 2007 6:04 PM:Cruisin' Grand is indeed designed to be a fun event but it is geared primarily to drive people to downtown businesses. Regardless of whether or not you enjoy the event (I do) Lisa is right. The current council has pretty much ruined the reputation of our city and their actions have been counter-productive in promoting our town. Ask yourself, if all you knew about Escondido was what you heard on the news would you want to visit?

hometowner wrote on Sep 29, 2007 12:28 PM:Who is the professor who decided attendance was down this year? Did you attend the nitro night? Biggest crowd ever, EVER. There is no way attendance was down this year. When the sidewalks are shoulder to shoulder every Friday night folks attendance is NOT down. What is the ulterior motive here?

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