Homecoming brings return of cruisin’ the strip

By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

“It was a lot of fun when we were younger. You just went down there to ride around and see your friends, listen to your music and do your thing. We used to park down there and stand and talk and wave at everybody as they went by.”

These are the memories of RHS Class of 1985 graduate LeAnn Murray, and Friday and Saturday, and there will be new life in those memories with a Reunion Cruzin, in conjunction with Russellville High School Homecoming.

“All these other classes are going to be home for their reunions,” said Murray.

Murray posed the idea to Mayor David Grissom, who was immediately intrigued and remembered his own days cruisin’ the strip.

“It would be back to back, car after car after car,” said Grissom. “We just rode around … for hours.”

The Reunion Cruzin will rev up about 6 p.m. Friday night and Saturday night. Cars will motor up and down Jackson Avenue from the Big Star to the old pizza place.

“I hope it’s from one end to the other. That’s how it used to be,” Murray said. “That’s just what you did.”

Those who plan to come cruise are reminded to be courteous and respectful of downtown properties – complaints from downtown business owners are the only reason cruisin’ ceased in downtown Russellville.

“I might get out and try to cruise the strip myself that night,” Grissom said.