I’ve often heard my grandparents reminisce about their Saturday nights as teenagers when they would cruise down Texas Avenue, stop in at the concession stand at the Brunson, and enjoy a fun night on the town. My vision of Texas Avenue back then has been pieced together by stories and old photos, until this past weekend when I attended the 2nd Annual Texas Ave. Cruise organized by Russell Hamman and volunteers.

I saw how nostalgia of a key-note part of the past can bring a community together. Long time Baytown natives created this event to not only relive days past, but to show the younger generation what a night on Texas Avenue used to be like. Saturday evening, young and old gathered along the historical street enjoying the classic cars, live music, food trucks, locally created art, and the lighting of the Brunson sign like it’s never been seen before. Vintage cars were parked along Jones and Ashbel Streets with their owners sitting nearby encouraging photographs and itching to talk about their pride and joys. As the sun started to set, my fiancé and I strolled down the rows of classic cars amazed by the unique restorations.