ABOUT THE ALLEGHANY CRUISERS
BEGINNINGS
The Alleghany Cruisers can trace their beginnings all the way back to the winter of 2021. Three local car enthusiasts, Robert Floyd, Kenny Curry, and Chris Tingler were looking at ways to broaden the scope of the growing car culture in the Alleghany Highlands. The car culture was growing and several younger people were beginning to get involved in the hobby. In just a few short years our area had grown from hosting just one or two events a year to hosting over a half dozen. It was obvious, that the enthusiasts in the area wanted more, and different events. Throughout the spring the conversations became more serious, then in July Robert and Kenny, along with Josh Rucker organized the area's first ever Covington Car's and Coffee event. This event set the stage for the formation of a new club. By August it was clear that a new club was needed in the area to continue to grow and expand the car culture in the area. The die was cast. The new club would honor the past while embracing the future.
FIRST MEETINGS
In September a group of 18 individuals met at Cucci's in Covington to lay the groundwork for a new car club. The new club would place an emphasis on having fun and having something for everyone. All of the original attendee's had been active in the car scene and several had experience in hosting or assisting in events. The name that was chosen for the new club was the "Alleghany Cruisers" and the colors would be red, white, and blue. Over the next month by laws were drafted and the decision was made that the Back The Blue Scholarship Car Show would become the Alleghany Cruisers' flagship event. By November officers had been elected and the new club had been incorporated. The ball was definitely rolling now.
FIRST CLUB ACTIVITIES AND LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022
The Alleghany Cruisers first attended an event as a group at the 2021 Pumpkins in the Park Trunk or Treat event hosted by the Covington Department of Parks and Recreation. The Alleghany Cruisers also participated in the Clifton Forge and Covington Christmas parades entering several vehicles. Work would begin immediately on a calendar for 2022. It was decided unanimously by the club that the Back the Blue Scholarship Car Show, established by Robert Floyd and Chris Tingler in 2020 would be the Alleghany Cruisers flagship event. By making this a club event everyone knew that more sponsors could be attracted and the event would grow at a faster pace. A decision was also made for the Alleghany Cruisers to host the newly formed Covington Cars and Coffee events, along with reviving the Cruise Nights concept into a new summer event known as Cruisin' Covington. The Alleghany cruisrs were also determined to bring back the very popular Friday night Cruise In's that were discontinued during 2020. The new club had a lot of ambition, and a lot of determined members ready and willing to make 2022 a big year.
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BUILDING MOMENTUM
The Alleghany Cruisers worked through the winter and by February had established an event calendar for 2022. Events for the year would include the 3rd Annual Back The Blue Scholarship Car Show, six dates for the popular Covington Cars & Coffee events, The Summer Cruise In, initially scheduled for Tractor Supply but ultimately moved to Cucci's, and eight dates for a new event called "Cruisin Covington", an expansion of the old Cruise Nights events of the previous two years. In March the Alleghany Cruisers were on hand at the 41st MDA Car Show in Roanoke Virginia and enjoyed meeting hundreds of fellow enthusiasts. In addition, the club had now grown to 23 adult members and now included three youth members. The Alleghany Cruisers had become the first club in the area to initiate a genuine youth membership program. As car show season dawns, the Alleghany Cruisers are preparing for a fun filled year.
THE FIRST YEAR
The Alleghany Cruisers hit the ground running in 2022 hosting several succedsful events. The 3rd Annual Back the Blue Scholarship Car Show was a huge success with over 100 cars in attendance. Although we had to dodge some rainy weather our Cruisin' Covington and Cars & Coffee events were also very successful. The Alleghany Cruisers delivered on the promise to return Friday night Cruise In's two the area, hosting two events at Cucci's, both with great participation. As summer turned into fall the Alleghany Cruisers were invited to host the first car show at Scott Hill Retirement Community since 2009 and we launched our first ever Holiday Hot Rod Round Up, a Christmas themed car show which raised money for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program which benefits local children in need during the Christmas holiday. The Alleghany Cruisers were active in our community during 2022 also, awarding two Back the Blue Scholarships to area high school students. We also continued to support local businesses through our events and are looking forward to expanding our community involvement in the near future. The first full year was definitely a wild, fun ride. Next year will be even better.
AN EXCITING SECOND YEAR
The Alleghany Cruisers entered 2023 on a wave of momentum. The club had grown to over 40 members by the time of the MDA Car Show in March. The Alleghany Cruisers hosted the 4th Annual Back the Blue Scholarship Car Show in June and saw the event enjoy record attendance and a huge public crowd. In October the 2nd Annual Holiday Hot Rod Round Up doubled in attendance from it's first year. The number of Cruise In's hosted by the Alleghany Cruisers increased from two in 2022 to eight in 2023 with new events being added at Kings Tire Service, Magic City Chevrolet, Wright Way Motors, Rivermont School and the Jackson River Sports Complex. Cruisin' Covington was expanded and attendance continued to grow and Covington Cars & Coffee had established itself as an enjoyable early season event. When the Alleghany Cruisers weren't hosting or attending local events, which are always our first priority, we were on the road attending events hosted by our friends in White Sulphur Springs,, Lewisburg, Caldwell, Talcott, Roanoke, Salem, Lynchburg, Millboro, Hot Springs, and other towns. In our community our club was busy making a difference. The Alleghany Cruisers awarded two Back the Blue Scholarships to area students. A large amount of money was also raised for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program at the Holiday Hot Rod Round Up. Club members rang the bell for the Red Kettle Drive, made a donation to the Alleghany Highlands Christmas Mother, helped a few families in need, supported ALL local car events held by other organizations, and supported our local businesses. It was an exciting year indeed.
