5 August 2006: during the City of Kannapolis' Saturday Nite Cruise Saturday August 5, 2006 in Cannon Village in Kannpolis. Photo Credit: Sean Meyers

5 August 2006: Car enthusiast reflected in the chrome bumper of an old roadster during the City of Kannapolis' Saturday Nite Cruise Saturday August 5, 2006 in Cannon Village in Kannpolis. Photo Credit: Sean Meyers

5 August 2006: Spectators admire the sleek designs of the 1957 Chevy Nomad during the City of Kannapolis' Saturday Nite Cruise Saturday August 5, 2006 in Cannon Village in Kannpolis. Photo Credit: Sean Meyers

5 August 2006: Junebug Harrelson of Kings Mountain cruises around in his 1957 Pontiac during the City of Kannapolis' Saturday Nite Cruise Saturday August 5, 2006 in Cannon Village in Kannpolis. Photo Credit: Sean Meyers

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS — Car buffs, gear heads and hot rodders rejoice. The Cruise-In is back.

The popular Kannapolis Cruise-in, canceled three years ago due to construction of the N.C. Research Campus, will return March 13 to the former Cannon Village, this time under the wing of the Cabarrus Events Association.

From 2004 to 2006, the Cruise-In attracted thousands of people to downtown Kannapolis, where classic and muscle car aficionados literally cruised around the West Avenue loop or parked their rides along the street for spectators to admire.

This loop has been known as Idiot's Circle since textile mill workers first cruised there years ago.

"It is the premiere spot, bar none," said Gary Walter, who worked at the mill and met his future wife while cruising West Avenue 40 years ago.

Walter has attended Cruise-Ins throughout the region and says none can compare with downtown Kannapolis. He will serve as master of ceremonies at the Cruise-In.

"The No. 1 fact is the venue itself — one way up and one way down, divided by the median, with angled parking on either side of the street," he said. "It's absolutely perfect."

The Cruise-In will take place from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. the second Saturday of each month from March through November except May, when the Cabarrus Events Association will host Village Fest instead, executive director Brenda Drye said.

A Facebook page created last Friday by Walter for the Cruise-In already had 422 fans by Thursday night, and the number was growing.

"This is so cool!" one wall post says. "Everyone hated to see it end, can't wait to see everyone back cruising the circle in Cannon Village!"

Fans can post photos of their cars, discuss Cruise-Ins and hear a song of the day, such as "Mustang Sally."

Cars of any make, model or year can participate in the Kannapolis Cruise-In, from antique to the new Camaro.

"We kept talking about it, and the downtown merchants wanted it back," said Drye, who cruised the "one way" as a teenager.

When California billionaire David Murdock bought back the abandoned Pillowtex plant and demolished it, his real estate development company canceled the Cruise-In.

Murdock's property management firm, Atlantic American Properties, had sponsored the event for three years.

Developing the $1.5 billion life sciences complex quickly became "all-consuming," said Phyllis Beaver, marketing director for the Research Campus and a longtime Atlantic American Properties employee.

"All of our time, talent and resources were devoted to projects related to the NCRC," Beaver said.

Developers also were worried about safety as the massive mill was torn down to make way for the Research Campus.

"I remember being concerned about the implosion and demolition work on the campus and all those expensive cars," Beaver said.

The Research Campus supports the return of the Cruise-In, Beaver said.

"It's in very capable hands," she said.

The city, police department and downtown merchants all have given their blessing, Drye said.

Downtown restaurants and some merchants will stay open late for the event, which is sponsored in March by Beaver's Honda Car Salvage in Mooresville.

Business owners had two concerns, including cruisers parking in front of their shops early in the day to reserve a spot, said Steven Blinsink, co-founder of the Kannapolis Business Associates and owner of Armor Insurance in downtown Kannapolis.

Organizers will ask cruisers not to park on West Avenue before 4:30 p.m.

Merchants also were worried about burnouts, Blinsink said. But unlike some other Cruise-Ins, the Kannapolis event will not include burnout competitions. "It will have the feeling of a car show without the judging," said Walter, who has a 2006 Mustang GT convertible. "The judges are the people."

In the aftermath of the recession and big-box-store revolution, only a handful of merchants remain on West Avenue.

Downtown Kannapolis, which is almost completely owned by Murdock, is struggling and recently lost another major tenant when Ktown went out of business and closed four furniture stores.

The Cruise-In will bring people downtown but only for a day, Blinsink said.

"Do I think it's a good thing for downtown, yes," he said. "Do I think it's the answer for downtown, no."

The Kannapolis Business Associates, now nearly 40 members strong, will meet at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in the train station as the group tries to find a long-term solution.