Cruz’n Eureka 2022

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The History of Cruz’n Eureka

Since 1993, Cruz’n Eureka has become an iconic annual event for the car community here on the North Coast. The last 28 shows raised over $200,000 to support local youth, and with local community support, we hope 2023 will be a record year.

In the early ‘90s, the vehicle cruise scene had become an issue on 4th and 5th Streets. All three lanes north and south were often full of Gear Head car people. While for all practical purposes, it was a huge social gathering on Friday night, sometimes lasting into the early morning. We suspect Caltrans and the City were forced to do something, so an ordinance was created – “no more legal cruising in Eureka.”

City of Eureka police officer and champion for Boys & Girls Club, Lance Madsen, who has since passed, and a small band of others, started a car show in Henderson Center. The event was to become Cruz’n Eureka and made into a benefit for our local Boys & Girls of the Redwoods.

Joe Porras, Director of Facilities for Redwoods Community College District from 1988 to 2006, Tim Marsh and other car enthusiasts, continued the show in Henderson Center for around 10-12 years. Joe brought Make-A-Wish into the fold of the car show. At the time, the Make-A-Wish representatives came from the Bay Area. Laurie Thietje-Furtado, wife of Mike Standridge, who also helped with the show, became the Make-A-Wish representative for the North Coast.

The car show eventually outgrew Henderson Center and was moved to Halverson Park where the great cruise route through Old Town began and the car show grew to encompass 2nd Street from C Street to G Street. There was a Sock Hop and while it was a lot of fun, there was never enough participation to keep it going.

Unfortunately, Laurie’s health began to decline (the problem with doing too much!). Laurie was aware of Dale Warmuth’s and Sondra Kirkley’s involvement with the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods. She asked if Dale and Sondra were interested in taking over the event. Dale, Sondra, Tim O’Brien and his wife Teresa, Jason Henderson (who has since passed) all continued to show their interest in cars and in the welfare of kids of the North Coast.

Cruz’n Eureka 2022