The rumble of engines mixed with old time-rock ’n’ roll Friday afternoon as the Blue Suede Cruise got up to speed.

More than 500 cars had registered for the ninth annual event by mid-afternoon and more were expected this morning, said cruise director Allen McDaniel.

For Ripley native James Cox, who now lives in Milwaukee, the cruise was a happy discovery during his annual Easter trip to visit his parents in Ripley. There’s just something about classic cars, he said.

“It takes you back in time to your childhood,” said Cox, who owns a 1957 Chevy and a 1977 Corvette. “Maybe next year I’ll bring one down.”

Even a hurt foot and a case of poison oak couldn’t keep away Erik Iverson of New Albany and his son, Erik Iverson Jr., who comes down from Chicago every year for the Blue Suede Cruise.

“We look forward to it all year long,” said the senior Iverson as he stood beside his silver blue 1963 Chevy Impala.

Andy and Michelle Berdarz brought their pair of orange Mustangs – his is a 2007 orange convertible and hers is the 2009 coupe – for their first Blue Suede Cruise from their home in Itasca, Ill.

As Michelle finished polishing up the coupe, Andy showed off the handling capability of the remote-control orange Mustang for a young visitor.

“It’s great to be here,” Andy Berdarz said.

They are members of the Grabber Orange Club – folks brought together by both the classic racing orange and the Mustangs. And even though they love the cars, they love the people they’ve met even more.

“The friends we’ve made are worth more than the car now,” said Michelle Berdarz.

Car fans can get a good look at the classic cars across the decades at an 8:30 a.m. parade that will run from the Malco theater, down North Gloster and back to BancorpSouth Arena. Music and cars will continue on display at the arena through Sunday morning.

Contact Michaela Gibson Morris at (662) 678-1599 or michaela.morris@journalinc.com.

Make your plans

- What: Tupelo Blue Suede Cruise

- Where: BancorpSouth Arena and Tupelo

Automobile Museum

- Cost: Free to attend; $45 to register a vehicle

- Info: bluesc.com or (662) 842-4242

- Saturday:

8 a.m.-1 p.m. – Registration

8:30 a.m. – Parade registration at

Malco

9 a.m. – Parade runs through

downtown Tupelo

10 a.m.– Classic car auction in

BancorpSouth Arena, $5

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Cruise and

poker sites open

5:30 p.m. – Rubber Soul, Beatles

tribute band

7:30 p.m. – The Fabulous Hubcaps

- Sunday

8 a.m. – Main site opens

8:45 a.m. – Elvis gospel music

10 a.m. – Winners announced

10:45 a.m. – Patriotic salute and

festival close