Wilkes-Barre Public Square Car & Bike Cruises

The NEPR AACA hosts the area's longest running car show and flea market, as well as the Public Square Car & Bike Cruises.

On October 25, 1957, a meeting of antique car owners was held at the Motor Twins Office, Market Street, Kingston, with 11 owners in attendance. At this meeting The Greater Wilkes-Barre Antique Car Club was formed. Of the original 22 founding members, only one remains active today. He is Bernard Boback, whose Model A Ford has been present for all 52 previous shows. On February 10, 1961, the Wilkes-Barre Club was granted a charter by the Antique Automobile Club of America, and since then has changed its name to the Northeastern Pennsylvania
Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.

In 1961 the club sponsored the Glidden Tour through Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.
Membership grew and for years there were three chapters, the Columbia County Chapter, the Scranton Chapter and the Hazleton Chapter, which grew and became Regions. Meeting are held on the fist Tuesday of each month at the Wilkes-Barre Voc-Tech School. Many activities are held throughout the year. A Spring Show is held each year, and in 2014 we had our 53rd Show. It is always well attended.

New members are always welcome.

Our club also supported the First Great Race which came through Wilkes-Barre. The club has been instrumental in assisting other groups form antique car units. Antique car owners have been supportive of local civic affairs in the use of autos for parades and community bazaars.

In 2001 club member Tommy Martin develop the car cruises on Public Square and still runs them today. The WB Public Square Car Cruise takes place on the last Friday of each month, April through October. Each year we attract thousands of vehicles and people to our cruises. Anything with wheels is welcome to particpate. This isn't a classic car cruise....this is an EVERYTHING cruise. We firmly believe that any vehicle is worth admiring from a bicycle to a '57 Chevy to a lawn tractor to a brand new Ford. Totally free and always will be!! We pride ourselves on being one of the largest, longest running shows in the area.

President………………………………… Walter Kreig
Vice-President………………………….. Carolyn Martin
Treasurer………………………...……… Carol Ann Ungvarsky
Secretary/Membership………………..... Michael Sawczuk
Public Relations……………………....…. Marilyn Shaffer
Historian/Cruise Coordinator…………… Tom Martin, III

Parade Marshalls………………………
Bernie Boback
Bob Stavish, Sr.

Safety Director………………………… Wes Shaffer
Legislative Representative…………. Bob Komnath
2013-2014 Board…..………………… Bob Berkey
2013-2014 Board…………………….. Larry Koulik
2013-2014 Board…………………….. Bob Stavish, Jr.

Show Treasurer/Insurance Coordinator………………
Carol Ann Ungvarsky

Tags: Event,Arts & Entertainment,Historical Place