A change in the Eddie Cochran parade route means the classic cars will spend more time hugging the lake and less out in the country.

Eddie Cochran Weekend committee chairman Jerry Monson said the country portions of the ride did not offer as much scenery and cars moved too fast to really get a good look at them.

“We’re gonna try to skirt the lake as much as we can,” Monson said.

Monson expects this will provide more good places to set up a lawn chair and watch the cars drive by.

Additionally, it provides out-of-town drivers with more exposure to the city itself, he said.

Cochran was a musician and performer born in Albert Lea in 1938. He is known for his contributions to rock ‘n’ roll, country and rhythm and blues.

Eddie Cochran Weekend will continue to host its Friday night cruise-in downtown at the same location as the show Saturday. Monson said with the exception of rainy weekends, Eddie Cochran Days typically brings around 200 cars to town. The Friday night cruise-in has brought almost as many.

“It brings a lot of people into town,” Monson said.

According to Monson, many of the cars that come to town for the cruise-in will not enter the show Saturday; often, Friday’s selection showcases the cars of people who enjoy driving classic cars.

Twelve awards will be given out Friday night, while over 70 awards will be given Saturday.

In town to witness the festivities will be Cochran’s sister, Pat Hickey. Monson said she has come to the weekend before, but has not had the chance to see a new Freeborn County Historical Museum display of Cochran material.

“Just being able to meet an actual sister of Eddie Cochran, for me, is gonna be quite an honor,” Monson said.

He said he plans to introduce Hickey to the crowd and will tentatively host an open house for the public to attend and meet her.

The lineup this year also includes four bands, where typically, there are three, Monson said. Performers are Richie Lee, Johnny Rogers, Holy Rocka Rollaz and The Whitesidewalls.

Black Iron Manufacturing out of Glenville will have a dragster on display set up a Christmas tree, or drag racing start lights, Monson said. The public can test their reaction times in the west end of the North Broadway Avenue parking lot.

 

Schedule

Thursday

5:30 to 8 p.m.: Richie Lee & the Fabulous ’50s, Fountain Lake Park

Friday

3 to 10 p.m.: Car cruise-in, North Broadway Avenue

6 to 9 p.m.: Johnny Rogers, Convention and Visitors Bureau corner

Saturday

8 to 11 a.m.: Registration, Convention and Visitors Bureau corner

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Swap meet, North Washington Avenue and West Fountain Street

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Car show, North Broadway Avenue

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Holy Rocka Rollaz, Albert Lea American Legion

2 p.m.: Awards, Convention and Visitors Bureau corner

4 p.m.: Cruise, beginning at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds

7:30 to 10:30 p.m.: The Whitesidewalls, Fountain Lake Park

Sunday

8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Cloverleaf Lions pancake breakfast, Albert Lea American Legion

10 a.m.: Rock ‘n’ roll service, United Methodist Church (sloppy joe lunch to follow)