Americana at its finest returned to the heart of Canby this weekend, as the annual Cutsforth’s Cruise-In brought more than 700 meticulously preserved hot rods and other classic cars to its traditional setting of Wait Park and the surrounding streets.
Organized by Frank Cutsforth and Cutsforth’s Market, along with the local classic car community and other organizations, the Cruise-In roared back into downtown Canby after two years at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds — to the delight of organizers, participants and attendees alike.
“It was so, so good,” Cutsforth said afterward. “The fairgrounds was really great to work with, really good to us during Covid — but there’s something about doing this event at the park, adjacent to downtown where people can talk and shop.”
Though final numbers were not available Sunday morning, Cutsforth felt confident that more than 700 cars had participated in this year’s Cruise-In — “probably” a record number, he said.
“I never know how we manage to fit that many cars in three or four blocks, but we do,” Cutsforth said with a laugh.
Cutsforth shouted out the Canby Christian Church, which opened its parking lot to serve the event this year, providing parking for an additional 70 or so cars just across the street from Wait Park.
The Rotary Club of Canby nearly ran out of food serving the masses, as did other nonprofits and organizations that benefit from the event.
Cutsforth said the event has grown and thrived over the years because, among other things, the classic car community loves coming together and sharing the fruits of their passion and hard work.
“You can feel it as you walk around and hear the conversations from people,” Cutsforth said. “You know, some of these folks are getting older. A lot of us are moving down the road a bit — but we’re not ready to let this go just yet.”
One of Cutsforth’s favorite moments this year came at the end of the event, when a longtime classic car enthusiast and organizer of other large shows in Oregon approached him.
“He came over, looked at me, and I almost thought for a second that he was going to cry,” Cutsforth chuckled. “He didn’t. But he said, ‘Frank, I think this was the best outdoor car show I’ve ever been to.’ That’s the kind of thing that makes you want to keep going.”
