The Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club draws in car and motorcycle enthusiasts—and those just looking for something fun to do—at its Cruisin’ the ’Boro meetup events, held every other Saturday between May and September at Murfreesboro’s River Rock Baptist Church.
The club, which has been around for more than 20 years, originally held its cruise-ins at the Stones River Mall parking lot. After switching locations for a time, the club found a new home at River Rock Baptist Church, 2248 New Salem Hwy., which has hosted the club and its Saturday events for a couple of years now.
Up to 100 hot rods are on hand at the show most nights. On a good night there might be 200 cars, said Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club secretary and treasurer Sandra James.
“A hot rod can be anything,” James said. “It can be from any year; car, truck or motorcycle. It doesn’t matter which. We have never been discriminating on that.”
Anyone can attend, though those who are willing to brave the summer heat are more likely to be avid lovers of all souped-up things on wheels.
“We only ask that people are respectful to the property and to the roads, and they don’t take off and show off when they leave. We want people to enjoy the atmosphere,” James said. “We enjoy giving our time to the community. We want people to come and have fun and show off their cars.”
The Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club has often collected money to apply toward a charitable cause. Right now, the club donates to River Rock Baptist Church for hosting them, and the group sometimes helps out its members when they have unexpected monetary needs. Members and guests can give $1 at the gate if they would like to, which registers them for a door prize. Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club members pay a $25 annual fee.
“Food at the cruise-ins is provided by the church and the church makes money from that, and we make a donation to the church at the end of the year,” James said. “We also have music. Our DJ is one of the church members.”
All ages are welcome at the family-friendly events, and organizers ask that attendees bring no alcohol and no guns.
“We just want everyone to have fun and be mindful. We have never really had any problems,” said James, who has been a member of the Hot Rod Club since 2000, when she moved to Murfreesboro. She has served as secretary and treasurer since 2006.
“I keep up with all of the goings-on,” she said, adding, “I bring my ’69 Chevelle convertible to the shows.”
For more information about the Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club and to keep up with events, visit its Facebook page, Murfreesboro Hot Rod Club, or call 615-405-5271 or 615-556-0547. To become a member, look for Sandra James at the trailer at each Cruisin’ the ’Boro.
Remaining days for the event are Saturdays July 6 and 20, Aug. 3 and 17 and Sept. 7 and 21.
