By ALEXANDER SIMONE

Staff writer

Peabody Cruise started its fifth consecutive year Sunday, and save for occasional people wearing face masks, there were few indicators that it was anything other than normal.

El Dorado car enthusiast Rex Heideman is a regular at the monthly cruise, and having as normal a setting as possible is important to him.

“Up here you’re pretty much out in the open,” he said. “As long as you keep your distance and don’t stand right up against anybody, you don’t have to worry about it too much.”

There are no plans to drastically change the event as long as the public can operate with discretion, said Linda Martinez, a board member of Peabody Dreamers Club, which plans the monthly cruises.

“Everybody just has to use social distancing and common sense,” she said.

Heideman prefers community events like Peabody’s over big car shows because he identifies and interacts with the audience and fellow enthusiasts.

Going to car shows for decades has increased the diversity Heideman sees, not just with people, but also with cars.

“You meet a lot of people,” he said. “It’s a lot of different types of people and different nationalities. You definitely see different attitudes and mindsets in how to make a car.”

For people just taking an interest in classic vehicles, the first step is finding what body style they prefer. After that it comes down to how much work and money they are willing to invest, Heideman said.

“If you build it yourself, you pretty much build it to satisfy yourself,” he said. “If you buy one, you usually have to buy it thinking that, ‘I don’t like this, so I’m going to change it.’ Like mine, I bought it in 2000 and I’ve redone everything.”

Vehicles were not the only thing on display Sunday. Martinez had baked goods ready for sale, and there was live music for entertainment.

In between songs a Peabody pastor read short sermons and Bible excerpts.

The next cruise is planned for July 26.