ESCONDIDO -- Cruisin' Grand is more than just a classic car show for many visitors who flocked Friday to downtown Escondido for the first night of the event's eighth season.

People love the cars, of course. But for many people, the weekly event is a chance to catch up with old friends and socialize, several visitors said Friday. For businesses, the huge crowds -- up to 10,000 people were expected to be downtown for the event -- mean cash money.

More than 400 restored or modified pre-1974 classic cars, trucks and hot rods were expected at the event. The vehicles were parked up and down Grand Avenue and on side streets, polished and shiny in all their glory as onlookers gawked at everything from the fiery paint jobs to the souped-up engines to the built-in video game systems.

Art Johnson, of Anza, who was showing off his turquoise 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, said he has gone to Cruisin' Grand about four years and is there almost every week. The car show will take place every Friday through Sept. 28.

"A lot of it has to do with the people. I come down to socialize and talk to the people, and check out the new cars," Johnson said.

Elderly Escondido residents Jim and Barbara Tuttle were admiring Johnson's car, which Barbara Tuttle said reminded her of one she had once owned.

"It brings back fond memories of our past," Jim Tuttle said.

But not everyone who appreciates the cars remembers "the good ol' days."

Many teenagers and children also walked through the crowds, some just socializing while others looked intently at the cars.

Jose Gonzalez, 13, said the cars "look pretty cool" and that he liked the classic designs.

"Their engines and their rims … they're oldies," he said.

Others, such as 4-year-old Isabella, the daughter of lifelong Escondido resident Lisa Simpson, were oblivious to the cars. Isabella danced in the street to DJ-spun oldies music, eagerly awaiting what for her is the best part of Cruisin' Grand.

"We're waiting for the Hula-Hoop contest," Simpson said. "That's what my daughter lives for."

Simpson said the event is both nostalgic and a great social scene.

"We see people that we see every Friday night, but still there's something to talk about," she said.

But the classic cars are still the main draw at the popular event.

Dennis Trujillo from the Pala Indian Reservation north of Escondido and his family were sitting on chairs, watching the crowds and the cars go buy. His 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle parked nearby always attracts questions from passing car aficionados, he said.

"They want to know wheel size, and motor, what kind of transmission you got, who did the paint," Trujillo said. "And once in a while you get someone saying, 'Is it for sale?' "

All along Grand Avenue, restaurants and bars were filled, and passers-by wandered through shops, many of which stay open late during Cruisin' Grand.

"We love Cruisin' Grand," said Lois Eck, manager of the Escondido Antique Mall. "Every year, we get people that don't know we're down here."

As customer after customer walked into The Yogurt Place for a frozen treat, owner Paul Woolsey said Cruisin' Grand was a great event to bring to downtown.

"I pray for it," Woolsey said. "It's huge for business."

Contact staff writer Paul Eakins at (760) 740-5420 or peakins@nctimes.com.