MATTAPOISETT — Mustangs, Thunderbirds and Beetles, oh my!

Over 50 cars, most built throughout the 20th century, flocked to Shipyard Park on Friday, July 26, for one of Mattapoisett’s ten cruise nights scheduled for 2024.

Crews of car aficionados set up lawn chairs and enjoyed the warm weather while others took laps around the park checking out all of the cars.

Cruise nights are typically held on the first and third Fridays from May to September each summer.

Mattapoisett resident Donald Lake is currently in charge of the event after “inheriting” the duties years ago, he said. He estimated that Cruise Nights have been going on in Mattapoisett for at least 40 years.

Lake described Mattapoisett’s Cruise Nights as “very simple and laid back.”

He said that attendees often walk around and reminisce about many of the cars parked in Shipyard Park.

Lake prints out flyers every year and said that word of the event gets around.

“This is a good night,” he said, referring to the amount of cars on the lawn of Shipyard Park.

“You have the nice scenery with the boats and people sit around and talk,” said Lake.

Billy Santos and Bruce Portis set up their chairs in front of Santos’ red Ford Thunderbird.

Santos said he enjoys cruise night because every time he goes, he sees a “couple new cars” that he hasn’t seen before.

The next Mattapoisett Cruise Night will be held on Friday, August 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is free to attend, and free to join.