LAKE OZARK, Mo. -- Nearly 100 people gathered around Luby's Stage on Friday, awaiting one of the premier activities at the fourth installment of Hot Summer Nights 2014 on Bagnell Dam Strip.
The small troupe of approximately 10 dancers awaited Hot Summer Nights committee member Bob Schwartz to finish their introduction. They fluffed their poodle skirts or slicked back their hair, as Schwartz said, "Here's L.O.Z. Community Dance performing "Grease.'"
Visitors cheered as the group of young local dancers' routine encouraged parents to sing along or do the hand jive, while children attempted to mimic the famed "Grease Lightning" routine from the hit musical film.
The movie "Grease" was celebrated in style during Hot Summer Nights, which saw thousands walk Bagnell Dam Strip reliving classic cars from the era, watching "Grease" dance routines, listening to sounds of the decade and interacting with a variety of family and child entertainers, as well as special guests.
Louie, the Springfield Cardinals mascot, cruised up and down Bagnell Dam Strip with regular Hot Summer Nights entertainer Capt. Scalawag in custom pirate "vessel." Families took pictures and Louie even threw on a poodle skirt to dance with the performers following their show.
Other special activities at the event Friday included Melissa Carroll singing "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" and a fireworks display, sponsored by Beavers at the Dam, the City of Lake Ozark and Iguana Fireworks.
Like at every Hot Summer Nights event, there's fun for the entire family. Live music at two different stages, clowns such as Merry Mary and Sparkie, Charcoal Chuck drawings, Mz Loretta's artistic interactive projects, Captain Scalawag, face painting and more for the kids are a part of the festivities, as well as food, fun, live entertainment and shopping. In addition, two stages offer up entertainment throughout the night with KRMS Radio's KB at Summer USA and the legendary Leo Case at Luby's Plaza. There is no registration for the cruise, which is for all classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, and all are encouraged to join in with their favorite ride to show off.
The Sept. 5 event will be "Vettes for Veterans" as the Lake of the Ozarks Corvette Club has taken on the task of organizing the tribute to veterans. The Lake of the Ozarks Corvette Club will be saluting veterans with a cruise down Bagnell Dam Boulevard with the veterans riding in their corvettes. Hot Summer Nights organizers will again be passing out American flags for the spectators to wave as the cruise proceeds down the strip. In addition, the International T-Bucket will be in town with plans to attend the September finale to Hot Summer Nights.
For more information, call Jeff Van Donsel at 573-365-2460 or Bob Schwartz at 573-348-4053, or visit www.cruisehotsummernights.com or its Facebook page.