The number of people that showed up was beyond my expectations. I figured a lot of people would come, but I didn’t think it would be that many,” Kauffman said. “I overheard a little girl say ‘Momma, is everybody in Goshen down here?’ It almost seemed like they were.”
The mayor made one lap cruising, which he said took about 45 minutes.
“I don’t think that we want to bring back cruising every Friday night or every First Friday, but if it’s an annual event it might be OK,” Kauffman said. “I think if they do it again we may have to be more vigilant about watching for the squealing tires and loud mufflers and that sort of thing.”
Event organizer Don Riegsecker also noted the limited tire squealing.
“It made me a little bit nervous, but I think everybody was pretty well-behaved,” he said.
Riegsecker said if the event is held again, however, he would look for a new initial staging location, as there wasn’t enough room for all the cars that showed up. He was also surprised by the number of spectators the cars drew.
“I didn’t expect so many people to come out just to watch people cruise,” Riegsecker said.
According to Kauffman, June’s First Friday set a record for attendance at the event at around 2,000 people. Both he and Riegsecker said they believe the cruising crowd exceeded that record.
“That had to be the biggest First Friday ever, I would guess,” Riegsecker said.
He said the mayor poked fun at him while at the event.
“He told me ‘you did a good job, but how are you going to get them out of town?’” he said.
“I think there was a lot of pent-up demand for cruising,” Kauffman said, adding “It was fun to see all those old cars cruising up and down Main Street.”
Riegsecker echoed his sentiment.
“I was excited about it, I was happy. Everything turned out excellent,” he said.
Local News
WOW! Hundreds cruise Goshen during reunion
Event expected to break recent attendance record for First Fridays.
- Local News
-
-
A very sweet war: Searching for the ultimate cupcake
A fig, goat cheese and onion cake pop dipped in chocolate? No wrinkling of noses! It was the winning entry in a fierce competition between a local baker, a sixth-grader and recent participants in the Food Network’s popular Cupcake Wars.
-
The Salvation Army celebrates dedication
The Salvation Army in Goshen celebrated service by and to the community. The opportunity came when The Salvation Army in Goshen and southern Elkhart County held its first Celebration Dinner May 17.
-
Memorial Day events planned
Veterans who died in service to their country will be remembered during Memorial Day services this holiday weekend.
-
Police: 32 pounds of pot found in LaGrange
A traffic stop in LaGrange County, with help from a drug-sniffing canine, led police to the discovery of a reported 32-pounds of marijuana Wednesday.
-
Board reviews cleanup status
LAGRANGE — Monday morning all eyes in the LaGrange County Board of Commissioners meeting room were glued to the slide show presented by County Code Enforcement Officer Johnny Boggs.
-
Reception to honor donors set for Thursday
A reception is set for Thursday evening to recognize donors and kick off the fundraising for this year’s Celebrate America fireworks program planned at Black Squirrel Golf Course on July 1.
-
Permits for golf carts passes
NAPPANEE — Those wishing to travel the city streets of Nappanee on golf carts will need to acquire a permit after City Council members approved an amendment to the golf cart ordinance Monday night. The amended ordinance was passed unanimously on third and final reading.
-
Rain barrel auction at First Fridays to benefit Elkhart River
GOSHEN — Colorful, decorated rain barrels will be sold in Goshen late next week in hopes of helping raise funds to improve the Elkhart River.
-
Police: Teen accidentally shot himself
GOSHEN — A 17-year-old boy was shot outside his home at 1824 College Manor Drive, just south of College Avenue, at 3:43 p.m. Tuesday.
-
Goshen’s branding plan rolls out
GOSHEN — After more than a year of waiting, the results of Goshen’s long-running branding initiative have now been revealed.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
