When Charlotte Dahlenburg agreed to volunteer at Cruisin’ the Coast for the first time in 2015, she thought she was just doing her friend a favor.
Longtime volunteer and site manager Ray Harper had asked her to help at the D’Iberville stamping site. When Dahlenburg arrived, she got a yellow staff shirt and a crash course on how to stamp registration cards.
“The day flew by as thousands of beautiful and creative vehicles came through the site,” she recalls. “By the end of the day, I told Ray I’d love to be a part of it again the next year”
Dahlenburg has lent a hand at Cruisin’ ever since and now serves as a volunteer and Auto Advisory Committee member. She’s also been a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America for over 20 years — holding several leadership positions within the local region.
As she gears up for the 29th annual Cruisin’, set for Oct. 5-12, Dahlenburg is looking forward to an event that feels like a family reunion — the one time each year she gets to reconnect with friends from near and far.
“There’s a shared energy that brings people together, whether it’s participants swapping stories, volunteers working side by side or locals lining Beach Boulevard in their lawn chairs all day and night. …,” she says. “It’s more than just a car event; it’s a community celebration.”
IF THESE WHEELS COULD TALK
Dahlenburg’s first vehicle was a 1956 Ford pickup — a basket case that she painstakingly reassembled and spray-painted lime green.
“I drove that truck for years, until our family outgrew it,” she recalls. “It was definitely a labor of love and a great introduction to classic vehicles.”
Now she and her husband are regular participants at Cruisin’, showcasing their 1955 Chevy Bel Air two-door wagon. The vehicle has been in the family since 1967 and boasts quite a history, once belonging to Dahlenburg’s father-in-law —who used it for street racing.
“One memorable year, he took the car all the way to Denver and was winning races left and right, until the police showed up and escorted him to the state line,” she says. “It’s definitely a car with character and plenty of stories to tell.”
While it seems surprising that an event with over 10,000 registered cars could create such a strong sense of community, Dahlenburg insists that it does just that.
“If you take the time to sit at a site, grab a burger from a food vendor, pull out your bag chair and enjoy the live music with others,” she says, “you’ll see it firsthand.”
WOMEN-POWERED SUCCESS
Behind the scenes, Dahlenburg is one of many women toiling to make Cruisin’ a success. Registration Director Craig Grisoli estimates that about half of the event’s roughly 800-person volunteer force is female.
“Their talents are as varied as their personalities, but they all bring professionalism, hospitality and fun to what they do,” he says. “We even have lady volunteers who work from their homes all year long, completing raffle vehicle tickets, putting together goodie bags for registration packages and mailing registration confirmation postcards. We value each of our volunteers and are appreciative of all they do to make Cruisin’ the Coast the best car event in the country.”
For her part, Dahlenburg says she’s definitely noticed more women getting involved in Cruisin’. For example, there are more women serving on the Auto Advisory Committee now than when she joined.
“It’s great to see more women taking on leadership roles and becoming active participants in all aspects of the event,” she says.
‘MORE THAN ANYTHING, IT’S THE PEOPLE’
With Jones Park in Gulfport serving as Cruise Central this year, Dahlenburg sees great potential to offer entertainment each night after registration closes, making the experience even more enjoyable for all. As the event continues to grow, she hopes to see more stamping sites added to spread out the activity and give participants even more chances to connect.
While Cruisin’ week is packed with exciting activities, Dahlenburg expects the flame-throwing contest on Tuesday night and the Ocean Springs Block Party to be among the highlights — both bigger and more thrilling than ever. Each year brings surprises and one-of-a-kind vehicles, from beautifully restored antiques to eye-catching hot rods.
“But more than anything, it’s the people you meet along the way that keep me and so many others coming back year after year,” Dahlenburg says. “The camaraderie, shared passion and sense of community make it an unforgettable experience.”