Back in the 80's, I still lived out in rural Southeastern Pa, right near the De/Md border. I couldnt wait to turn 16 and get my license, because on Friday and Saturday nights, Newark De's Main street was a major cruise spot! People came from far and wide, from 4 different nearby states! De, Md, Pa, NJ
When I was 15, my Dad actually allowed me to go with my friend Steve and his older brother Gary in Gary's Hopped up VW beetle up to main street. It was packed from end to end with cars....... :thumbup:
It's about 1 mile long, 2 lanes and 1 way traffic. 25 mph speed limit. It's also home to the University Of De, and main street is lined with stores, shops, restaurants, a little mall, a theater, etc. In the spring, fall and winter, there are wall to wall college girls as well! You could also park and just walk and meet people as well, and check out all the cars.
So from as far back as I can remember and much earlier, it was a big weekend cruise spot, but then they really cracked down, and finally by about mid 90's, it kinda ended....
The cops had tried in vain to do something to clear up the cruising, even though most people were just having fun and not causing any trouble. The problem was that the senior citizen population, who didnt even live near main street, and were in bed by 9pm, nonetheless didnt want the "young whipper snappers" to be out cruising and having fun apparently....... There was rarely any crimes committed, other than an occasional burnout, but most didnt even do that!
They tried limiting the number of times you could go around to 3, but unless your car really stuck out, they couldnt keep up with it. I never got caught going around more than 3 times!
On Fridays, Hot Rodders, who were the primary cruisers, would first go to Cecil County dragway to run their cars, get the number sprayed on their windshields, then come and cruise main street afterward and brag about their times.
Nobody actually ever raced on Main street, but they'd set up races at the track later, or out in the country in Md nearby.
But it was great while it lasted.
But now its over.........
When I was 15, my Dad actually allowed me to go with my friend Steve and his older brother Gary in Gary's Hopped up VW beetle up to main street. It was packed from end to end with cars....... :thumbup:
It's about 1 mile long, 2 lanes and 1 way traffic. 25 mph speed limit. It's also home to the University Of De, and main street is lined with stores, shops, restaurants, a little mall, a theater, etc. In the spring, fall and winter, there are wall to wall college girls as well! You could also park and just walk and meet people as well, and check out all the cars.
So from as far back as I can remember and much earlier, it was a big weekend cruise spot, but then they really cracked down, and finally by about mid 90's, it kinda ended....
The cops had tried in vain to do something to clear up the cruising, even though most people were just having fun and not causing any trouble. The problem was that the senior citizen population, who didnt even live near main street, and were in bed by 9pm, nonetheless didnt want the "young whipper snappers" to be out cruising and having fun apparently....... There was rarely any crimes committed, other than an occasional burnout, but most didnt even do that!
They tried limiting the number of times you could go around to 3, but unless your car really stuck out, they couldnt keep up with it. I never got caught going around more than 3 times!
On Fridays, Hot Rodders, who were the primary cruisers, would first go to Cecil County dragway to run their cars, get the number sprayed on their windshields, then come and cruise main street afterward and brag about their times.
Nobody actually ever raced on Main street, but they'd set up races at the track later, or out in the country in Md nearby.
But it was great while it lasted.
But now its over.........