On an overcast Thursday morning, 45 vintage cars—some dating back to 1907—cruised through the main street at Miller Women’s & Children’s Hospital and MemorialCare Medical Center Long Beach, waving from and honking their old-school locomotives.

The parade was to celebrate the hospital staff, in honor of National Hospital Week, for their work during the pandemic. Several hundred MemorialCare staff gathered outside to watch the event, many waving and cheering back at the drivers.

The collection of vintage cars were from three regional car clubs, including the Model T Club of Long Beach and Orange County, who spearheaded the procession with their collection of cars from 1907 to 1927.

Orange County Model A Club and Diamond Tread Model A Club from Downey cruised through with cars dating between 1928 and 1931.

The Southern California Group #11 from Orange County of the Early V8 Ford Club of America ended the parade with their collection of cars from 1932 to 1953.

“It’s been an unusual year and our health care workers have done an amazing job of doing everything that’s necessary and rising to the challenge,” said John Bishop, CEO of MemorialCare Medical Center Long Beach and Millers Women’s & Children’s Hospital. “It’s a great way to honor the work that’s happened this past year.”