Cruisin Downriver is Saturday

By Gary Gosselin, Heritage Newspapers

It’s time to start shining up those classic cars in preparation for the inaugural Cruisin’ Downriver on July 8.

For those who have been "away" for a while, Cruisin’ Downriver is a daylong car cruise (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) up and down Fort Street from Sibley Road to Outer Drive. The cruise runs through Riverview, Southgate, Lincoln Park and Wyandotte.

The event is free, and no registration is required.

Sponsorship for the event includes Heritage Network as the presenting sponsor and Ford Motor Co. is title sponsor.

Rodgers Chevrolet and ASC Inc. also joined the fun as major sponsors of the cruise.

Cruisin’ Downriver is coordinated by the Southern Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, along with Heritage Newspapers and Oldies 104.3 WOMC as the official radio station.

It is an alcohol-free event, and cruisers are encouraged to use the two curb lanes for maximum viewing pleasure and so through traffic will be able to pass on the median side.

For all of the information, fun facts and interesting stories, pick up a copy of the limited edition Cruisin’ Downriver supplement to The News-Herald Newspapers (published June 28) at any of the cities along the route, the SWCCC or The News-Herald.

The Holiday Inn-Southgate Heritage Center is the official hotel of the cruise and is offering special rates.

There will be numerous entertainment events before and during Cruisin’ Downriver, and everything is listed at the Cruisin’ Web site on the Internet. To see the information, go to www.heritage.com and click on the Cruisin’ Downriver icon.

There are a number of events planned in Southgate, including a concert from 7 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, featuring the Fantastics, sponsored by National City Bank at its building, 16333 Trenton Road.

Southgate Shopping Center will hold a sidewalk sale Friday, Saturday and next Sunday and will have entertainment from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Car clubs are welcome.

Riverview will kick the weekend off with the Teen Angels from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Young Patriots Park (near the library), and the Downriver Cruizers and The Downriver Wanderers car clubs will display some of their classic cars at the concert.

Wyandotte will have a Cruisin’ Downriver ’50s Party featuring Moose And Da Sharks from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday at Yack Arena, 3131 Third St. Phone 1-734-282-6233 for additional information.

In Lincoln Park, The Room Upstairs band will play from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the band shell. From 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sherman Arnold, an Elvis Presley impersonator, will perform at the band shell.

From 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Little Davy & The Diplomats (oldies, Motown, current) will be at the band shell.