Oyster Bay welcomes back Cruise Night

Car shows are a summertime staple. You’ll find them most everywhere.

One that certainly attracts attention — from locals and car enthusiasts from all over — is Cruise Night. The most popular car show on the North Shore is back, and folks from across Long Island have begun making their weekly pilgrimage to Oyster Bay each Tuesday to enjoy the sights and sounds of cars from every decade.

A vast range of vehicles are on display, from Ford Model Ts to 1960s Thunderbirds and exotic Maseratis and Lamborghinis. According to George Hanley — who has participated with his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 for more than a decade — it’s not just the cars that draw people, but the sense of community among the car lovers that makes Cruise Night unique.

“The cars are a good reason, but the old friends are also a fun thing to run into,” Hanley says. “It’s a nice night. It’s not rowdy. It’s a real good old-fashioned car show.”

Wandering through Audrey Avenue in the heart of the hamlet is something to behold. Visitors are surrounded by the beautifully refurbished and lovingly cared-for cars, with bright paint jobs and popped hoods. The aromas of beer from the local brewery and cigar smoke waft over. Music played on the street lends a lively backdrop.

The event, organized weekly by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce, also puts the lovely and historic hamlet on display.

From the classic architecture and small-town feel, to the numerous restaurants and stores of all sorts, Cruise Night offers car enthusiasts — and those who drop by — to check out the scene. Not just the vintage cars, but an opportunity to enjoy the many amenities Oyster Bay has to offer.

Whether you want to take a break from the heat and pop into Theodore’s Books to browse their wide collection, or get a bite to eat at local favorites like Taby’s Diner or 2 Spring, the evening is not just a celebration of great cars, but a showcase of Oyster Bay itself. Ravin Chetram, vice president of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich chamber, says it doesn’t just put the hamlet on the map, but strengthens the many local businesses by drawing crowds to the community.

“It’s such a great event, it really brings people out to enjoy Oyster Bay during the summer,” Chetram says. “Cruise Night is just one of those things that makes our community so special.”

This year also marks the first time that Cruise Night is partnering with Rallye BMW, which has taken on a more active role in the hamlet since the recent closure of Oyster Bay BMW. Nick Soldo, Rallye’s senior client advisor, and his team are on-site, pleased to be involved with the community.

“We’re here for everybody,” Soldo says.

“We want to make a bigger presence in Oyster Bay for both the clients of BMW, and the residents of Oyster Bay.”