Spectators lined the streets of downtown Roseburg Saturday evening and collectively took a trip down memory lane with a shiny rainbow of classic cars partaking in the 30th annual Umpqua Flatheads Roseburg Graffiti Night Cruise.

The cruise is the highlight of five days of car activities around central Douglas County and draws the largest crowd of spectators of any of the events. It is open to vehicles made in 1972 and older and draws many classic car enthusiasts from around the Northwest.

The sidewalks of Jackson and Main streets were loaded with men, women and children of all ages taking part in the cruise which has become a tradition for many people.

Roseburg's Jim Stutsman, 82, watched with his daughter and grandson and reminicsed about when he owned cars similar to the ones cruising by.

“We have watched for the last — so many years,” Stutsman said. “I just enjoy it.”

Stutsman's grandson, Shannon McDonald, 35, lives in San Diego but makes a point of visiting his family during Graffiti weekend. He has made the trek and has been able to check out the cruise for the last few years and is planning to keep up the tradition.

His mother, Susan McDonald, said she enjoys watching with her family and especially likes the classic pickup trucks.

The Gibby family, of Roseburg, has classic cars in their bloodlines. George Gibby has passed his love of cars onto his son Steven and daughter-in-law Amy. The couple said they are in the process of restoring a car they hope to enter in a future Graffiti cruise.

“Our goal is to get out there,” Steven Gibby said.

At Saturday's event, however, 5-year-old Levi and 3-year-old Grace seemed a little more excited about candy pieces thrown by passing motorists than the colored cars themselves.

“They love the candy,” Amy Gibby said.

Nearby, siblings Heidi Cordell, 9, and Josiah Cordell, 8, also gathered up tasty treats but Josiah said he “mostly likes all the cars.”

Heidi said her family comes to the cruise every year and said she didn't mind the fumes or noise from the cars. Josiah eagerly added that the cars weren't even that noisy, because he likes to play his radio really loud, anyway.

Roseburg's Donna and Bill Willis watched the cruise with their 3-year-old yorkie, Precious, in toe. The dog was wide-eyed at all the commotion but Bill Willis said she enjoys the show just as much as her owners.

Donna Willis said the best part of Graffiti is just getting out of the house and having fun.

Bill Willis fondly recalled the ‘59 Ford retractable hard top he once owned and lamented getting rid of the machine which is now very valuable. The show makes him hope someone has taken good care of the car, he said.

Darren Dickson, a pastor at the First Christian Church on Kane Street, said he was impressed with the mild-mannered crowd. As a way to connect with the community, the church provided free hot dogs and water to passers-by.

“We have given away about 560 bottles of water and 300 hot dogs,” Dickson said. “It is an awesome crowd.”

Graffiti festivities continue today with a fun run from Roseburg to Canyonville. Registration will be between 9 and 10:30 a.m. off Stewart Parkway in the parking area between McDonald's and Jack In The Box restaurants. The run will end at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville where a barbecue and outdoor concert featuring The Boomer Band is scheduled.



• You can reach reporter Heather Morse at 541-957-4208 or by email at hmorse@nrtoday.com.