Cruzin’ Clinton set for Sept. 16, parade to honor Ben Todd

By Sherry Lucas

Engines and spirits are revving in Clinton for the 2023 Cruzin’ Clinton Car Show and Parade September 16, a fun family draw and a key chance to enjoy vintage vehicles, big trucks and a range of truly awesome autos.

This year’s parade is dedicated to long-time and faithful car show planning committee member Ben Todd, whose death this past June left a hole in the community that only fond memories can fill. His daughter, Lawren Todd, will serve as grand marshal of the parade.

This year’s Cruzin’ Clinton parade will be dedicated to Ben Todd, who was one of the show’s founding organizers.

One of Cruzin’ Clinton’s original founders, Ben Todd was a huge advocate for the event, Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher said.

“As an avid collector himself, he did more than thank car owners for attending — he talked the details of each car that was being shown,” said Fisher. “The participants loved talking cars, and Ben could easily relate to their stories, because he had remodeled so many cars himself.”

Pete Tyer, a decades-long friend who considered Ben Todd “one of my favorite people in the world,” fondly remembered how much fun he was to hang out with.

“He was in his eighties when he passed away, which you wouldn’t know it by talking to him, because he acted like he was in his thirties,” said Tyer. It’s tough to tell all good things about him, there were so many, Tyer said. “It’s not one thing, it’s fifty.”

Ben Todd was one half of the Todd Twins, with his brother, Tom.

“One day he came in, and he was laughing. … He said, ‘Tom and I just went somewhere to eat, and some six-year-old twins came in and they said, ‘Look, Mom. Old twins!’’ He laughed about that a lot,” Tyer said. “Ben supported the city. He supported the police department, especially, and the fire department, and took care of those people who take care of us.”

A lifelong car enthusiast, Todd had an Adobe Beige “Power Pack” ’57 Chevy and a red ’57 Chevy that was the car he wanted to build for the last twenty years, Tyer said. “We got it done, and he got to play with it, for about eight or nine years before he passed away.”

The appeal of Cruzin’ Clinton is simple.

“It’s fun,” Tyer said. Tyer’s Professional Auto Service is a sponsor and long-time supporter of Cruzin’ Clinton. “I have a lot of people we do work for that go to the show, but that’s not the reason that we do it. It’s because it’s fun,” said Tyer. “These are local people, and we all need an outlet.”

Cruzin’ Clinton, which started in 2009 and moved to Olde Towne in 2013, is now in its fourteenth year. The event has fulfilled its aim to draw visitors to the city, with steady growth over the years.

“It’s one of my favorite events of the year,” Fisher said. “Its unique location in Olde Towne makes it a fun place to show your car and enjoy the fellowship of other car enthusiasts.”
“The Olde Towne business environment has grown significantly since last year (ninety-six percent occupancy), so, unlike in years past, folks will be able to shop and eat from multiple businesses while admiring the cars,” Fisher said.

Car show check-in is from 8 until 9 a.m. on September 16 at Clinton Plaza Parking Lot, 200 Clinton Boulevard. The parade will start at the Clinton Plaza Shopping Center, wind through north Clinton, take a side track through the Brookdale Retirement and Assisted Living Facility for residents’ enjoyment there, and then finish in Olde Towne for the 10 a.m. start of the Cruzin’ Clinton Car Show.

Cars will be parked on Jefferson and West Leake Streets for visitors’ enjoyment, with a DJ on hand playing classic tunes, and food trucks and Olde Towne dining options ready to cater to any refreshment or lunchtime wants and needs.

The show continues to 2 p.m.

Cruzin’ Clinton honors show participants by bestowing forty awards, including People’s Choice Award and Best in Show, at the event. Cruzin’ Clinton typically attracts eighty to one hundred cars to the open show, for a display that swings from classic beauties to hot rods.

With family appeal front and center, “we will have the Big Truck Experience back for the second year, along with a Hot Wheels track for kids to race each other,” said Main Street Clinton Director Tara Lytal. “If they forget their car, no worries. Mattel has donated some Hot Wheels, along with some prizes to be awarded throughout the event.”

“It will be bigger than ever,” Committee Chairman Linda Vander Molen said of the Big Truck Experience. “This is a family-friendly, hands-on event that offers the opportunity for children to explore, climb and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery and other equipment.”

“Children get to meet the personnel who protect, serve and build our community,” said Committee Co-Chair Marsha Barham. “It is a great learning experience when a child can touch these gigantic vehicles.”

Cruzin’ Clinton is a free event.

Those entering cars can find Cruzin’ Clinton pre-registration details and forms at MainStreetClintonMS.com. Cost is $20 per vehicle to pre-register, which is open through September 8. Onsite registration on September 16 at Clinton Plaza Parking Lot will be $25 per vehicle.

For more information, call Main Street Clinton at 601-924-5472.