1st Avenue Cruise Draws Big Turnout [PHOTOS]

For a few hours on a Saturday night, our little corner of the world in downtown Cedar Rapids forgot about the coronavirus.

The decades-old tradition of cruising 1st Avenue returned this weekend as hundreds of drivers rolled up and down the pavement in a scene reminiscent of the "good old days".

Vehicles jammed the street in a convoy of hot rods blending in with sports cars and everyday sedans, cruising the length of Cedar Rapids' city limits from the northeast corners of Lindale Mall to the southwest side of the old K Mart parking lot.

After weeks of pent up self-isolation due to the coronavirus crisis, the night was a social distancing success.

Traffic moved slowly along with car windows rolled down, and great music playing.

Everyone got in on the fun. Ryan Michael posted a 2020 Cruise Facebook event that helped promote the cruise.

Cedar Rapids blogger Cindy Hadish filed one of the first reports late Saturday night on Homegrown Iowan as dozens of people share photos and videos on social media sites.

It's true that 1st Avenue car cruises have been going on for decades, but this weekend's turnout was exceptional. There is little doubt that next week's cruise will likely be just as well attended.