“We came down here to see what’s going on and to get ideas for her wedding,” said Hinson at Satin & Lace. “We saw a flier for the Downtown Bridal Fair.”
The Bridal Fair, held Saturday, was the latest First Saturday event sponsored by the Albemarle Downtown Business Association. The June focus was on weddings and included a cruise-in of classic cars.
Also known as “I Do Local,” the event encouraged downtown shops to showcase wedding gowns and accessories, allow brides to set up gift registrations and offer discounts and gift certificates.
“The goal is to have an event each first Saturday of the month to bring people downtown,” said Victoria Sites, communications manager for Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation.
Besides keeping stores open longer on Saturday afternoon, First Saturday provides activities, such as the cruise-in and music at the square.
“It’s a way to bring night life to town,” Sites said of the First Saturday events.
Tim Harris of Music on Main brought some of his students to the bandstand to perform. Among them were singer Reagan Crump and guitarist Emery Culp, who made music with Harris in front of folks sitting on benches under the shade trees.
At the cruise-in, where vehicles were parked in the lot behind the square, people came to see antique models, muscle cars and at least one hybrid.
Darrell Story of Millingport parked his extra-long truck on the street since he was afraid he could not get it turned back out of the parking lot. He said his vehicle has a 1949 Chevrolet front end and ‘53 parts, all on a 1996 Cadillac limousine chassis.
“It gets a lot of funny looks,” said Story, causing some drivers to forget where they are going.
Bob Morrison of Albemarle had his 1959 baby blue Rambler American on display. He said he has owned it for more than 20 years, having taken an auto body course at Stanly Community College to be able to fix it up.
“I just drive it to shows and to cruise-ins now,” he said.
Other cars catching people’s eyes included a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, a bright blue 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster, a 1981 Corvette and a 1964 Chevy Nova.
David Summerlin of Badin said his Beetle was the first VW model with a 12-volt electrical system. Under the hood was a scale model of the ‘67.
Stone Russell of Albemarle owns the Fleetmaster, Boyd Furr of Millingport brought the Corvette and Jake McDaniel, also of Millingport, drove the Nova to the cruise-in.
Meanwhile, down the street at Satin & Lace, proprietor Linda Dennis was assisting Morris, who will marry Hank Dry next April. Dennis carries a full line of wedding and bridesmaid gowns, party dresses and accessories. She also rents tuxedoes.
“We’ve been through a busy period from February to May, mostly proms,” she said.
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