Gentlemen, start your engine. It’s time for Cruise Night in Edom.

March 20 revs up the fourth year of this tradition after its break over the winter months.

Owners of all classic, unusual or rare cars are invited to participate on the third Saturday of each month through October.

Starting around 6 p.m. (sometimes earlier), the cars begin to arrive and line both sides of the street along the downtown Edom arts district.

Hoods are raised, chrome is polished, T-shirt sleeves are rolled up, and everyone gets ready for this familyoriented “good time” evening.

By the time all the parking spots are filled, there are typically between 40 and 50 cars, a huge increase from the 10 or so cars that participated when the idea was first conceived.

Entertainment abounds through 8 p.m., but many folks stay later, especially when the weather is nice. There is a snack area serving food and drinks, a DJ spinning music, T-shirts and 50-50 tickets for sale, and many of the downtown Edom shops stay open late to participate in the celebration.

No admission is charged for this event and everyone is encouraged to attend whether they have a classic car or not.

A special “Mayfest” cruise night is being planned for May 15, which will include the usual activities plus a live band and dancing. Participants are encouraged to dress up in their best 50s & 60s “look” and join the fun.

While most participants are from the local area, it’s common to find cars that come all the way from Longview and Dallas.

To encourage Cruise Night participation even more, each person who brings a car is entered into a special drawing.

Elsewhere in Edom, the Edom Volunteer Fire Department is having its pancake breakfast at the main Edom Fire Station on Farm-to-Market Road 279, Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

If you haven’t yet seen the beautiful, new fire station, this event is a good excuse to take a look, and to support the efforts of the volunteer firemen and women who will also be cooking your hearty breakfast!

At the Edom Bakery, it’s going to be a busy two weeks starting with a traditional lunch of corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty’s day. And on March 20, the bakery’s monthly gourmet night will feature Italian cuisine.

Blue Moon Gardens continues its workshop series on March 20. This month, the topic is vegetable gardens.

For entertainment, East Texas singer and songwriter Randy Brown will perform his lively, insightful and often humorous acoustic music at The Old Firehouse on March 21.

Opening for Brown will be Byrd & Street.

This matinee concert makes it easy to enjoy a full day in Edom visiting the shops and galleries, enjoying an afternoon of original music, and having dinner at one of our unique restaurants.