This Saturday marks the fourth annual Cruisin’ Downriver and if you’re planning to attend, rumor has it you’d better get there early.

This year, Downriver’s biggest annual summer event of its kind is expected to draw more than 500,000 car buffs and spectators.

Sponsored by The News-Herald Newspapers, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber and radio station Oldies 104.3 WOMC-FM, the day begins at 10 a.m. with a parade in Lincoln Park.

"The cruise is one of the best events to happen Downriver," said Jon Bryant of Woodhaven. "Each year, my wife and I wait to see what the date will be so we can schedule our vacation around the cruise. We don’t own a classic car but we love watching them line Fort Street."

"When all of this began four years ago, we were looking for a signature event for the region," said Edward Clemente, president of the chamber. "Something not too expensive that everyone could enjoy.

"When we decided on a cruise, we looked for a route that had a nice boulevard and no railroad tracks, so working with the cities of Lincoln Park, Riverview, Southgate and Wyandotte made the most sense."

The route for the cruise runs through the four cities extending from Outer Drive in Lincoln Park to Pennsylvania in Riverview.

"Our role as a chamber is to help promote the event," Clemente said. "The real heroes are the cities’ community support and the car clubs. Without them there would be no cruise."

Thomas Blevins of Riverview said there’s a reason the Downriver cruise is so popular.

"I think what draws so many people to the cruise is that there are so many car lovers who live Downriver and who have actually built the car they are driving," he said. Blevins is the owner of a 1965 Mustang convertible. "It’s a true cruise, not a crawl like the Woodward cruise. We should have started this 15 years ago."

Along with the actual cruise, many car clubs and businesses have scheduled special events throughout the day. WOMC will broadcast through the day. For a list of times and locations, check out the special section highlighting the cruise in this edition.

On Friday, the second annual Cruisin’ 4 A Cause event in Lincoln Park will raise funds for Children’s Hospital of Michigan and help to properly kick off the annual Downriver cruise. Held at the Robert Jones Knights of Columbus Hall in Lincoln Park from 7 p.m. to midnight, the evening will feature a virtual taste fest, entertainment, dancing, raffles and an auction.

The Wyandotte Business Association will sponsor a sock hop from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Sav-A-Lot parking lot, corner of Fort and Grove. Disc jockey entertainment is planned. Food and cruise merchandise will be available for purchase.

For a complete listing of cruise events, car club locations and a pull-out map of the cruise route, look for the special section in today’s edition or log onto www.cruisindownriver.com