Cruise-ins return to Medina at new location on West Avenue

Photos by Cheryl Wertman: There were around 60 cars at the first cruise night in Medina on Friday. The cruise has moved from the Canal Basin to the village municipal lot next to the Senior Center on West Avenue.

MEDINA – Friday night cruise-ins in Medina have a new look this year.

After decades of taking place in the canal basin under the organization of David Green of East Shelby, Green retired last year and his role was assumed by Rollin Hellner and Tom Snyder.

Hellner and Snyder have affected some changes in the event, namely, moving it to the parking lot of the Senior Center. Snyder explained the reason was lack of insurance coverage, which is required by the village, if they stayed in the canal basin.

“It would have cost us $400 a night for insurance at the canal basin,” Snyder said. “Here at the Senior Center, we are covered by the Walsh Hotel’s insurance.”

People check out the vehicles which were from many eras. There was also a hearse and an original Indy 500 pace car.

Hellner purchased the Walsh Hotel, which is across the road from the Senior Center, last year.

While the Senior Center location cannot accommodate as many cars, remarks from most cruisers were favorable. One car owner did say it was too crowded and didn’t offer near as much room for cars as the canal basin. Only 56 vehicles were displayed, while on most Friday nights in the canal basin, cars and trucks numbered between 80 and 100.

Timothy Caldwell of Medina, who brought his 2019 Corvette convertible, said it was nice there and he liked being able to get food from the Walsh across the street.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Larry Albanese of Albion stands next to his 1922 Ford Model T, which he brought to Medina’s cruise-in for the first time Friday night.

Larry Albanese of Albion had never been to a Friday night cruise-in in Medina before, he said. A founding member of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse, Albanese has always volunteered at the lighthouse on Friday nights, he said. He got a friend to stand in for him so he could show his 1922 Ford Model T.

Dan Marek of Albion said he has been coming to the cruise-ins in Medina for years, and thinks the new location will be fun.

Peter Castricone of Medina recently purchased a new vintage automobile – a 1965 Plymouth pace car. He said only 32 were made and his was number one.

(Left) Tom Snyder and Kelly Fisk sell raffle tickets to Dan Marek of Albion, left, during the Medina’s Friday night cruise-in, which this year has moved from the canal basin to the Medina Senior Center, where 56 cars showed up. (Right) Steven Miller of South Buffalo sits next to his 2004 Lincoln hearse and a mannikin of the Grim Reaper. He hopes to come back next week and bring members of their Hearse Club.

Buffalo DJ Hank Nevins had provided music for the cruise-ins for most of their years, until his retirement last year. New entertainer this year is Medina disc jockey JT Thomas.

The summer cruise-ins will end as usual in August with a Super Cruise on Main Street, featuring Terry Buchwald as Elvis.

Peter Castricone of Medina proudly shows off his newly acquired 1965 Plymouth pace car at Medina’s first cruise-in Friday night.