Ahhhh I can hardly wait wrote on Mar 31, 2008 1:39 PM:hit the 7/11 for my Popov Vodka and then down the street to the wine bar to finish off the night. I like Cruzin Grand it is where the locals can get polluted and not hassled by the cops.

Fred wrote on Mar 31, 2008 6:09 PM:A interesting place to meet people and talk about cars.

Oh no! wrote on Mar 31, 2008 9:34 PM:Not this again...it's okay to have something like this once in a while, but it gets so old and annoying after a while. Ironic that councilwoman Marie Waldron is a huge supporter and sponsor of this event since she complains about overcrowded parking which is exactly what you get on Friday nights with this event. Not to mention loud music and traffic.

David wrote on Apr 1, 2008 7:24 AM:To Oh no!
Why don't you stay in the cave you live in. You sound like an 80 yr old fart who has nothing else to do but complain. If you don't like the hobby.....THEN STAY HOME IN YOUR CAVE!!!

Marie-Anne wrote on Apr 1, 2008 7:34 AM:It gets stale? The why start it so early? They should wait at least another month.

to Marie-Anne wrote on Apr 1, 2008 7:58 AM:To clarify for you, the event got stale, so they made changes to the event. Part of that change is starting earlier to fit it all in. The event is more dynamic and is a welcomed change. Please keep yourself from falling into the negative pit this blog sucks some into. I hope I helped you avoid this disease. Cruisin' Grand can't start a month later, the businesses need it now.

Good to see the art galleries and upscale restaurants get behind Cruisin' Grand. The DBA is doing a good job.

becky wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:09 AM:I agree with Marie-Anne. While "Old Car Night" (as our family calls it) is fun, it goes on way too long. As fun as it is, 2 or 3 times in the whole summer is plenty for us. Things get stale when you get too much of them.

Marie-Anne wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:15 AM:Replace one of the "art galleries" with a Home Town Buffet, or another Irish Pub, and more people will come to downtown without the need of a special event. As Escondido struggles to erect an identity (as they have for decades) touting themselves as some kind of artsy enclave isn't going lead them to the prosperity they seek.

Old and Tired wrote on Apr 1, 2008 9:45 AM:Unfortunately, for those of us living in Escondido, the event keeps us from enjoying a meal downtown. We simply want a nice quiet meal, don't want to fight the traffic or parking, and the cars aren't of interest to us after we've seen them for so many years. The city council wants people to spend money in Escondido, but we spend our Friday date night budget in San Marcos. We need something that brings more variety of more interest to a larger group of people.

I have invited wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:14 AM:the gang bangers in my neighborhood to attend with their low riders, soooo coool! We can have a rumble afterwards!

Oh boy! wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:21 AM:Here it comes again, the annual exercise in pollution and traffic. Marie Anne and others are right on the money: this event goes on WAAAAY too long. Once a month would be more than enough, though twice a month might be tolerable. But EVERY WEEK for 6 months is totally excessive. It certainly isn't helping the downtown businesses, which was the original impetus for such an event. Look at the vacancies on Grand for proof. If this event was so great for business then every block would be filled.

VW wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:14 AM:I don't understand why they still wont let us VW Owners participate... We have some customs here in Escondido, and they tell us to get out cause a VW is not classic... It's a got some more class than a post 74 car... Escondido has one of the largest VW groups in San Diego Co. It would be cool to have a place that we could show too! Besides, some of us get more than 3 MPG!

Bobby wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:43 AM:Why don't they just do a weekend in the summer like Berdoo... They have a great Car show for Rte 66 Every year, for one summer weekend.... Or even like Paseo Robles... Just one weekend a Summer... And I agree, get rid of an art gallery or two as well..

teacher wrote on Apr 1, 2008 12:14 PM:if its too crowded, go to the other 1000 restaurants in town. You complainers are ridiculous. Cruzin Grand is one of the few bright spots in this town.

Reality Check wrote on Apr 1, 2008 12:17 PM:Regarding all those "automotive booths" on Kalmia, etc.... Will anything be sold duplicating what stores on the street sell? That is direct competition to the stores in downtown.
So what if no food vendors.... there are retailers on the street that sell just about anything except mufflers that those booths will probably have. Just like the farmers market that now has jewelry, etc. So much for vegetables.
Maybe the Downtown Association is making money off the booths (or will in the future).

David wrote on Apr 1, 2008 12:43 PM:To all those against Crusin' Grand I think your being paranoid and trying to turn something that is positive for the community negative. Assuming bad things are going to happen is wrong and judgemental and not liking the fact of it being crowded in that area is like saying you hate the movie theatre because of crowd it brings. Why are you not complaining about the farmers market that goes on a weekly basis??? Escondido PD has been doing an outstanding job in keeping everyone in line at this event. If it wasn't safe I don't it would attract as many people as it does nor do I think people would bring there kids with them.

BOTTOM LINE DON'T LIKE IT STAY HOME OR DINE OUT ELSEWHERE!

Christine wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:49 PM:To VW I'm with you. I've had VW's for about 18 years now. If our VW Club got together, maybe we could have one Friday Night to be included.

Cowtown wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:59 AM:They need to add more of a variety of live music. Enough Jazz, surf, and oldies. We want to hear some live contemporary country music.

Old School wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:46 AM:crap like Cruisin Grand is stale before the banners & booths go up. It isn't about the cars, its a profit opportunity. I say let the VW & Hybrid car owners have at least one of the nights and see who attends.

wow wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:57 AM:Boy are the complainers out tonight! Wow!

"Look toward the vacancies for proof"? LOL! Proof of what, a faltering economy? Grand had a zero vacancy rate just a year or two ago. Blame your neighbor for refinancing his house six times and buying all those toys. Get a clue friend.

Support Escondido wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:27 AM:Get out and get involved!
Escondido is hard to define, difficult to represent and market because it's people and offerings are so diverse...........
Although I am really not into cars, I love Cruisin' Grand. Escondido looks and feels "alive" every Friday night. There are local people, families and visitors, all walking around and enjoying our down town. A couple years ago, we even saw a clip of Cruisin' Grand on the Travel channel! People actually do come from all over to attend the event Thank you DBA. I also like the fashion week idea... I hope it woks out!

BD wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:20 AM:How do you think this event will look in 30 years? Do you think any of our cars will really become classics? "Oh look, there's Jason's 06 Maxima...wow, he's done a nice job restoring that one." I wonder....

GO ESCONDIDO !!! wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:59 PM:To those complainers above, have you ever walked the Friday night show? You will see families holding hands and enjoying the cars, kids singing to the music, entering the hula-hoop contest, and just having a family fun night out! It is a great time for family bonding! I notice stores when I am walking that I do not notice when driving by on week days due to watching the traffic while I drive. So I for one have picked up a few more stores that I now shop at. I agree with David, if you don't like it, stay away and make room for those of us who do!!! Go to San Marcos !!! Thank you Escondido Business Association for extending this event!!!

Jim wrote on Apr 3, 2008 9:45 AM:I agree with Go Escondido. Friday Cruisin evenings are much like evenings in Europe where families get out and stroll through downtown. I think my wife and I attended every evening last year but one and always found something new and interesting. I think allowing foreign cars is a good idea. I don't know anyone who doesn't like looking at Ferraris.

Dan wrote on Apr 3, 2008 7:39 PM:If you want to go downtown with nobody there go any other day of the week after 6pm it is like a ghost town!
My family and friends go almost every Friday and spend over a hundred dollars each time! I even built a car to particpate in Cruising Grand at a cost of over $60,000 every dime spent in Escondido

Judy wrote on Apr 5, 2008 9:38 PM:I am a young at heart senior citizen and have lived in Escondido for 60 years. When I was small my sisters and I used to walk downtown with our parents on Friday nights to shop. Cruisin has brought back all those memories! I enjoy the cars and seeing old school friends and acquaintances
that I have made over the years. Bravo Escondido for having this event every year for us to enjoy.

terry wrote on Jun 9, 2008 7:44 PM:I think cruising grand is outstanding! My kids and grand kids come from Temecula to be a part of this. I happen to have a car and attend time permitting. The whole town comes alive and I love the diversity of people. People like the batman and others add a quirkyness to the event and the grankids love it. What a great place for the family to have fun. Keep up the great work!