CHICOPEE – It’s 5:30 p.m. and the cruise night at the Moose Family Center had only started a half hour before. Already, though, the field in which the vintage and collectible cars are parked is filling up.

The field with row after row with cars is testimony to the fact the rally at the Moose Family Center is considered to be the largest of the area’s many cruise nights, explained Bob Gallagher, one of its organizers.

It’s the ninth season for the event, which raises money for the charitable activities of the organization. The event is featured every Thursday night from 5 p.m. until dusk at the Moose Family Center at 224 Fuller Road.

Gallagher said the events features a deejay each week, but also often live music as well. There is a flea market as well with a number of different vendors. Members of the organization cook up hamburgers. Hot dogs and other food items are for sale and there is plenty of seating under a pavilion.

Gallagher recalled how the first cruise night only attracted 50 cars. Now the average is between 250 and 300 vehicles. He added many of the cruise nights have a particular car theme. This week Corvettes were being featured and were parked in the first row.

Three trophies are awarded every week, Gallagher added. The local sponsors of the cruise night make the trophies possible, he noted.

Gallagher added the cruise night would be host to an appearance by the Snap-On Tools of Triumph North American Tour on July 28 – a first for the cruise night.

To learn how to be a vendor at the event, contact Gallagher at 594-1978.

Got a comment about this story? Go to http://speakout.thereminder.com and let us know.