They’re calling it good old-fashioned fun.

On Friday, the Southern Minnesota Old Car Company will host its first Cruisin’ Broadway event of the summer for classic car enthusiasts from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

Participants are asked to meet at 6 p.m. at the former Red Owl building on South Broadway Avenue, where they will look at the cars in attendance before beginning the cruise.

Don Blake, a member of the Southern Minnesota Old Car Company, said many people in Albert Lea grew up having cruises down Broadway Avenue and in the downtown area.

“Albert Lea used to be quite widely known for classic cars and car clubs,” Blake said. “This is just a continuation of growing up in the ’50s and ’60s in that environment. We enjoy working on cars, driving them and getting together with people who enjoy the same.”

Last year was the first year the Old Car Company attempted to resurrect those cruises.

At the first cruise in June 2009 there were more than 200 classic cars, he said. The last cruise in September had a similar attendance.

“A lot of people mentioned they would definitely like us to do this again this year,” Blake said. “Based on the response we got from the attendees, we decided to do it again.”

There are no entry fees, registration or awards, just “good old-fashioned fun cruising Broadway,” according to the organizers.

Participants will cruise up Broadway Avenue toward Fountain Street and will then make a loop around and come back down.

Last year, cruisers were also staged on Broadway Avenue from Main Street to Clark Street to take part in an organized cruise around Fountain Lake, but Blake said this year, organizers decided against doing this. People can cruise around Fountain Lake on their own, but the organized cruise will just be up and down Broadway Avenue.

2010 “Cruisin’ Broadway” dates:

May 7, sponsored by Wedgewood Cove

June 4, sponsored by Moose Club of Albert Lea

July 9, sponsored by Big Island Bar & Grill

Aug. 13, sponsored by Wedgewood Cove

Sept. 10, sponsored by Green Mill Restaurant

— All cruises start at 6 p.m.

Additional cruise dates are June 4, July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10, all on Fridays. The cruises will be held rain or shine.

Each night after the cruises, participants are invited to mingle at a specified area restaurant for more fun.

On Friday, the location will be at Wedgewood Cove. Other locations in future months include the Moose Club of Albert Lea, Big Island Bar & Grill and the Green Mill Restaurant.

“We would like to invite as many people as possible,” Blake said.

The Southern Minnesota Old Car Company can be found online at www.oldcarco.com.