Mopar Spirit Shines in First-Ever Chrysler Carlisle Nationals Parade

It wasn’t the biggest parade ever, but it was definitely a big deal. For the first time in its history, the Chrysler Carlisle Nationals hosted an official parade through downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The event brought out a record-breaking 3,100+ vehicles, but the heat was intense for most of the day. Temps climbed into the 90s, sending some folks looking for shade.

A quick but heavy rain shower helped knock the humidity down a bit. Even though the weather kept a few people back, the cars kept rolling, and the crowds still lined the streets to cheer on everything from beautifully restored classics to today’s modern Mopar muscle.

I was especially looking forward to seeing my good friend Frank Rhodes Jr., who was selected as the grand marshal for the parade. He was supposed to ride in on something wild — a fully functional Sherman tank powered by a Chrysler Multibank engine. It took a lot of effort just to get the thing approved to drive on the city streets, and it actually made it to the starting line. But right before the parade kicked off, it sprang a gas leak. For safety reasons, they had to make the call not to run it. Definitely a letdown, but better safe than sorry.

Even without the tank, the parade was an awesome sight. Chargers, ‘Cudas, Darts, 300s, and even some Ram trucks — you name it. Vintage and modern Mopar iron just kept coming, block after block. The community showed up strong, and the energy was exactly what you’d expect from a Mopar crowd: proud, loud, and full of passion.

This might’ve been the first official parade during the Chrysler Nationals, but I sure hope it’s not the last. It added something special to an already legendary event, and even with a few hiccups, it showed just how strong and dedicated the Mopar community really is.