The Villages - June 2022 - 9

The wheels keep turning, and after 25 years there's
no slowing down. This year marks another major
milestone anniversary for the Cruise In car show that
draws automobile enthusiasts and car clubs of The
Villages and surrounding areas - men, women and
children included.
Candy Williams is a proud car buff and member of
various Villages car clubs. A Corvette owner, Candy is
also one of many local women who spends her days
with the top down and enjoys cruising to car shows
and meeting other car lovers. They gather to admire
the cherry red convertibles, Coupe de Villes, Sky Larks,
Thunderbirds, Bel Airs, Mustangs and the many other
beloved models of the past, whose whitewall tires,
hand-crank windows, wood paneled bodies and front
bench seats bring the good old days back for a night.
As the crowds mingle, we hear stories of first-dates,
first loves (of the human and motor-powered sort), and
serendipitous moments in which starry-eyed dreamers
landed their dream cars. Behind every gleaming grille,
you'll find residents beaming with pride at the monthly
Cruise In car shows.
NAVIGATING THE SHOWS
Car club leaders and Cruise In participants say it's
sometimes difficult to navigate the logistics of attending
a show with cars they're upgrading or restoring.
They're often eager to get their cars in show-ready
shape. Behind the scenes, Special Events Manager
Chalsi Cox of The Villages Entertainment Department
works equally hard at bringing the events together.
" I oversee all of the festivals, car shows and markets
that take place on the square, " she said. " Currently, the
special events department hosts 13 festivals, 12 Cruise
In's, 46 Farmers Markets, 57 Market Nights, and assists
in 15 third-party events! "
A graduate of University of Central Florida,
Cox earned her bachelor of science degree in event
management in 2018.
" I was in the healthcare field for eight years, with the
last few years assisting in community health events, "
she said. Her entry into her current position came after
seeing the job posting in 2019.
MAGAZINE
9
The Villages - June 2022

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