About one hundred classic cars kicked off the 3rd Annual River to River Classic Car Cruise down U.S. Route 6 Friday morning.
David Darby is the Executive Director of the Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourism Association. He says drivers will travel nearly 320 miles this weekend across Iowa.
"Most people who've driven across Iowa," said Darby, "Do it on Interstate 80, and they see four and a half hours of corn and pigs and nothing else. And then they get to go through here and see 43-plus small towns with amazing architectures, some beautiful rolling hills and curved Roads. They get to rediscover their joy of driving. They get some great food, and some awesome experiences. And they make new friends."
Along the way, Darby says participants can stop at the country's oldest soda fountain in Wilton, or any number of other mom and pop stores along the way.
Dennis Korns from Brooklyn, Iowa, uses any opportunity he can to show off his 1933 Chevy.
"You get a lot of thumbs up," said Korns. "A lot of people look at it and wave at you when you pass."
This is the first overnight cruise for Janet Lautzenheiser and her husband Lee. They'll be riding their 1956 Pontiac Chieftain Station Wagon across the state.
"To us it represents freedom," said Lautzenheiser, "And the American spirit. And the American independence. And the great era of classic cars."
Proceeds from the Third Annual River to River Classic Car Cruise this weekend will go to the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.