Mokena's Cruise Nights Are Back

Residents from across the south suburbs revved their engines and left a trail of burnt rubber leading to in Mokena for the weekly cruise night on Sunday, June 12.

The cruise night, which take place from 5 to 9 p.m. every Sunday, features a wide range of cars and offers a chance for families to spend time together.

On June 12, Stoney Point had nearly 20 hot rods, classic muscle cars and newer models lining the lot. From a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1, a trio of Chevy Novas and a 1929 Ford Model A, there was something for every motorhead in attendance. 

For Mike Giertuga, the opportunity to drive his son's Mustang is often his reason for attending the events.

“It belongs to my son and he doesn't have time to show it, so he just told me to go out and do it,” he said. “Which works out great for me … Before I got my 2010 [Mustang], I was taking this thing out every day.”

For father and son duo Vince Montelpasse, Jr., and Vince Montelpasse III, the cruise night was a chance to show off their Chevy Novas. Vince Jr. said that he has owned his Nova since 1972 and that it was his first new car.

After growing up around his dad's Nova, Vince the third asked if he could have the car. The answer was no.

“Originally, I wanted a Chevelle, basically when he said I couldn't have his, I just had to get my own,” Montelpasse III said. “We build this car from the ground up.”

The younger Montelpasse added that he and his father enjoy showing their cars together and that it is a great opportunity to meet other classic car enthusiasts.

For those without a classic car to show off, the opportunity to see vintage cars is something that draws the people to the cruise nights Giertuga said.

“I get a lot of people coming up and reminiscing about their old cars,” he said. “It's a lot of fun.”