"Let's go cruising" is an invitation classic car enthusiasts Debbie and Dean Wiersbe say they can't resist.

The Hebron couple -- joined by an increasing number of others who share their love of seeing and being seen in vintage and classic cars -- each week hop into their restored 1967 Chevrolet Impala and 1979 Chevelle Supersport and head out to one of the near-nightly car cruises.

At area's cruises, starting in the spring and continuing through early fall, participants share car stories and car stares at events at just about every community in the region - Chesterton, Portage, Crown Point, Valparaiso, Whiting, Hobart, Highland, Whiting, Schererville and Crete to name just a sampling.

"Cars have been a passion for us our entire driving life," Wiersbe, 59, said. "The cars we now own are cars that go back to the cars we used to own in our youth. ...That's typically the pattern of most car enthusiasts."

Their travels on a recent warm, humid night take them to the Crown Point car cruise, a five-year tradition making it one of the older community-based car cruises, Crown Point Director of Special Events Jennifer Young said.

The Wiersbes say Crown Point, particularly when the event is held in the downtown square, is their favorite because of its variety of cars, the participants and its location.

"It has that old hometown feel," Dean Wiersbe said.

Crown Point resident Greg Fischel, 38, brought his young two sons -- but not his 1970 Chevelle -- to the Crown Point cruise held at Beacon Hill Plaza during August.

It was a back-to-school night, so Fischel picked dad-duties over bringing a car to show that is older than him.

Although one of the younger car cruise participants, Fischel said he enjoys driving a car from an era that was part of a simpler time.

"I enjoy driving the car and the camaraderie with other car enthusiasts," Fischel said.

When Michael Mireles, of Highland, bought the 1941 Buick limousine a few years ago, he admits it was something he did out of love for his father.

"My dad had one like it, and when he lost the car I never saw him so sad. I own it but keep it at his house," Mireles said.

The vehicle was also a hit at the high school prom of Mireles' son last spring when he chauffeured him and his date.

"I like the attention the car gets. It's something you don't see every day," Mireles said while carefully wiping down the Buick at the Crown Point car cruise.

In its sixth year, the Whiting cruise night, which takes place on 119th Street, continues to grow, said Norb Dudzik, who started the event.

"They like the setting out here," Dudzik said. "It's just a small town atmosphere."

The weekly event features prizes and entertainment, but Dudzik said spectators flock to the area "because a lot of people want to see these cars."

He said the event draws many car enthusiasts from across Northwest Indiana and parts of Illinois.

Crete resident Mark Evans, 49, said he enjoys heading to the Crete cruise night to display his 1967 Buick Skylark and meet other car enthusiasts. He shares a similar taste in vehicles with Alan Janusz, 53, of Crete, who has a 1966 Buick Skylark that he brings to the event.

Evans also enjoys participating in the cruise night on Main Street because it provides a safe place to park his classic vehicle, he said.

While the spectators at the event are of all ages, Janusz said the majority of people registering cars into car cruises are 45 years old and older.

He said it may be difficult for younger car enthusiasts to afford buying and maintaining classic cars. Janusz said many car cruises only allow pre-1980 vehicles in the events, but there are some that will open up the events to newer vehicles to attract younger participants.

Cruising in cars from the time when Debbie and Dean Wiersbe were dating back in the late 1960s lets them renew their youth.

"It's a flashback thing," Debbie Wiersbe said.