FREEHOLD – With few problems reported on the first Kruise Nite of 2008, the second edition of the popular event has been given the green light by Freehold Borough officials.
Kruise Nite will return to the downtown area on June 26. The first Kruise Nite of 2007 was held on May 29.
Kruise Nite showcases classic cars on Main Street. Thousands of people turn out for the monthly event which is accompanied by music, vendors selling refreshments and representatives of area organizations providing information about their services.
Kruise Nite is also scheduled to be held on the final Thursday of July and August.
Freehold Borough Police Chief Mitchell Roth said Kruise Nite went well on May 29.
“Patrons were compliant with the new parameters we implemented to improve the event,” he said. “Everyone had a good time and Kruise Nite was uneventful, which is a good thing.”
Changes for 2008 include new parking rules that only allow vintage cars to park on Main Street, more control over alcohol being served at the borough’s restaurants and the elimination of a specific parking area for motorcycles.
Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina said the feedback after the May 29 event was positive. Borough officials, members of the Freehold Center Partnership and Roth met on June 3 to review the event and evaluate its impact on the town.
At that time the decision was made to allow Kruse Nite to be held again in June.
“The only thing better than the meeting was Kruise Nite itself. There were no problems,” Bellina said, although he explained that certain items will be “tweaked” to ensure that the event runs even better this month.
Mike Page, who chairs the Freehold Center Partnership, said the May 29 Kruise Nite was a success.
“We had a nice crowd, the weather was perfect and there were many positive things said about the event. We are pleased with the results and people seemed really happy,” he said.
The cost of law enforcement supervision for the May 29 Kruise Nite totaled $6,668, according to Bellina. The borough will pay $1,750 of that amount, leaving the balance of $4,918 to be paid by the partnership.
That amount does not include the additional six state police units or two units from the Monmouth County Sheriff ‘s Department. The fees for those agencies will be paid by the partnership.
When asked if the first Kruise Nite of 2008 went off as hoped, Bellina answered, “Absolutely.”
And with that, permission was granted for June’s Kruise Nite to roll into Freehold Borough on the final Thursday of the month.