Starlite Car Cruise continues to draw crowd

In its 16th year, the Starlite Car Cruise in Pine has grown to include up to 1,500 vehicles.

Director Roger Van Scoy said there are 1,200 to 1,500 vehicles each Friday at the North Way Christian Community church campus. A larger number of people come as spectators.

The season kicked off in May and will continue to Sept. 2. Admission is free and vehicles of all makes and years, including motorcycles, are welcome.

A different vehicle is featured every week. Coming evenings will include Camaros, Mustangs and trucks.

“People come in groups and hang out,” Van Scoy said, adding there is a social component to the event.

Jay Passavant, the church's founding pastor, said the cruise began as a one-time affair with a couple hundred cars in fall 2000.

He said it gradually expanded and was even larger before land surrounding the campus was developed.

Passavant said his late father suggested the event.

Opened in 1994, the campus has 15 acres and is one of five the church has in Allegheny County. The community has around 4,000 members.

Passavant said the cruise has gained a reputation for being family-friendly.

Activities are available for children and vendors sell food for all age groups.

Pets are allowed as long as they are on leashes.

“It doesn't cost any money (to enter and) thing are well run and orderly,” Passavant said.

Van Scoy said organizers rely on volunteers and sponsors for support.

Passavant said the church has gotten some new members as a result of the event.

Bob Gillner, 70, of Dorseyville, goes to other cruises, but said Starlite is his favorite.

“It's a nice facility (and a) good group of people,” he said. “It's not the same cars every week.”

Jack Swaney, 55, of Mars, has attended the event since it began and likes it for many reasons.

“(It is) close to home (and) easy to get in and out (of),” he said. “(There are) lots of nice people and cars, (and) you can find shade on the hot days.”

Swaney said he also is fond of the wide array of vehicles, the food and the DJ.

Michael Quinn, 65, of Hampton said he enjoys learning the “cool ideas” young people have about building cars.

Karen Kadilak is a Tribune-Review contributor.