Hundreds take another cruise, including some 2020 seniors

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

There were a few instances of people congregating on corners, but the vast majority stayed in their cars and maintained a safe social distance as the Charles City strip was home to a third straight Friday evening cruise.

Despite concerns expressed last week by Floyd County Public Health, which requested that the public not promote events such as organized car cruises, well over 100 vehicles started navigating the Charles City Main Street loop at about 6 p.m. Friday, with tunes blaring and horns honking.

After a couple hours of vehicular fun, everyone dispersed.

Several of the cars were occupied by members the Charles City class of 2020, who will be graduating this year without much of the traditional fanfare and ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions. Many of the seniors decorated their cars with black-and-orange signs and balloons, and some parents staked out spots to snap some photographs.

In a press release last Monday, Floyd County Public Health stated that it strongly opposes and is asking the public not to promote such events, which are not essential.

“The temptation with events like car cruises is to congregate in parking lots, stand along the curb, pull up to each other and talk out of the window, or have friends get in the car with you,” Floyd County Public Health said in the release. “There are photos on social media demonstrating this is happening.”

Cruisers decided they would take their chances and take part in the event anyway, although there were fewer vehicles on the strip than there had been in prior weeks. Some made a quick stop in front of the Charles Theatre, where volunteer employees wearing masks and gloves delivered boxes of fresh popcorn to cars.