Classic cars, hot rods and the people, young and old, who love them gear up for the fifth annual Emerald Coast Cruizin’, November 9-14, in Panama City Beach, Florida.  The event takes place at Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway, as well as at many other Panama City Beach hot spots with an array of events and activities for everyone with music, food and fun all in high gear.

Emerald Coast Cruizin’ is expected to draw more than 3,000 cars from across the country.  You’ll see the best in hot rods; classic, custom and muscle cars; street rods; and competition vehicles from far and wide.

Billed as the “South’s Best Blast from the Past,” Emerald Coast Cruizin’ features cool car displays, beachfront cruises, burnout contests, a classic Sock Hop, a spectacular Kick-Off Block Party and more than 125 vendors, where you’ll find everything from hubcaps to headlights and unique auto accessories. Bring a chair and watch the event’s signature car parade.  Or, drive off with a ride of your own at the car corral, where cars of all makes and models will be on display.

Registration opens on Monday, November  9, at Beachcomber By the Sea at 17101 Front Beach Road.  Be sure to visit Cruise Central at Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort, 17403 Front Beach Road, starting Monday and throughout the event week to purchase your official event t-shirts, hear announcements and show off your ride.  On Tuesday, November 10, rev your engines for a beach cruise along the beautiful main thoroughfares of Panama City Beach.

Show off your bent eight and admire the eclectic mix of custom hot rods, muscle cars and more on Wednesday, November 11, at the biggest block party on the Gulf Coast, featuring prizes, special awards, vendors, live music from Blast from the Past and DJ Koto King spinning oldies throughout the day.  Celebrate with high throttle and burn rubber at the event’s signature car parade at 5:00 pm, where cars, trucks and custom hot rods line the streets.  The route begins at beautiful Pier Park and winds through Panama City Beach to Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort where, after the parade, the fun is in overdrive at the event’s legendary welcome party hosted by Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort’s Tiki Bar.  Car enthusiasts and event participants will enjoy a night of camaraderie, food, drinks and live music.

Head to Frank Brown Park on Thursday, November 12, for the chrome-plated Show and Shine.  Event activities include DJ KOTO spinning the oldies, vendor displays and special guest Sam Mammola of Speed Channel’s popular Two Guys Garage who will be on-hand greeting guests and answering questions at Frank Brown Park from Thursday – Saturday, November 14.

Dust off the poodle-skirts and leather jackets to experience a classic Sock Hop Dance on Friday, November 13, at Days Inn at 12818 Front Beach Road.  Also on Friday, car enthusiasts can pop the clutch and goose it over to the Panama City Marina Civic Center for an all-ages concert by  Diamond Rio (with special guests Rebel Syndicate).

Cap the week off at Frank Brown Park on Saturday, November 14, for more vendor displays and a complete awards ceremony and cash drawing for $10,000.

To register your vehicle, to participate as a vendor or for a complete event schedule, visit Emerald Coast Cruizin's website at www.emeraldcoastcruizin.com.

(Courtesy Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau)