Sometimes the smaller shows are the way to go about checking out some decent iron. Cheap or free, it’s the lack of judging, lack of classes, and general meet-and-greet attitude that makes them attractive…and parking the show right next to good food doesn’t hurt, either. One of my favorites is the JDRF “Cruisin’ For A Cure” cruise, held weekly at Bruster’s Ice Cream’s parking lot in Bowling Green, Kentucky. How can you argue with a summer cruise schedule that happens once a week at an ice cream parlor?

JDRF’s mission with Cruisin’ For A Cure is to raise money and awareness for juvenile diabetes research. Door prizes are offered, and everybody is just relaxing, soaking in the early evening air. The vehicle variety is nice, from hot rods through late models, and everybody seemed well-behaved: no burnouts or stunts, and only the occasional bark of exhaust to stir up the otherwise calm event. If you’re swinging through the area for events such as Hot Rod Reunion or LS Fest and you happen to see a few old cars hanging around the ice-cream joint, come on in and join the fun!