All roads lead to
Fort Street for 2005 Cruisin’ Downriver
By Mike Schaffer, The News-Herald
Gentlemen, start your engines!
This Saturday marks the sixth annual Cruisin’ Downriver and if you’re
planning to attend Downriver’s signature event and get a good viewing
spot, you’d better get down to Fort Street early.
Downriver’s biggest annual summer event of its kind is expected to
draw more than 500,000 car buffs and spectators this year.
Car enthusiasts from throughout the country and Canada will make
their way to Fort Street this weekend — putting Downriver on the world’s
map!
In fact, last year some spectators flew into Michigan from places
such as California and Florida to attend the event.
Presented by The News-Herald Newspapers, the Southern Wayne County
Regional Chamber and radio station Oldies 104.3 WOMC-FM, Cruisin’
Downriver is being sponsored by AutoAlliance International of Flat Rock,
home of the new 2005 Ford Mustang and Ford Mustang convertible. Expect
to see plenty of vintage and new Mustangs at this year’s event.
Silver sponsors of this year’s event include Rodgers Chevrolet and
Meijer, which is located along the cruise route and is a tremendous
supporter of local car shows and the cruise.
Bronze sponsors include Capers Tavern & Eatery, Crystal Gardens,
Dreamcruisecar.com, General RV of Brownstown, Heartland Health Care of
Allen Park, Hobnobs Casual Dining and Banquet Facilities, Fritz
Enterprises, Oakwood Café, Painter’s Supply, SBC, Winners Dodge and Wy-South
Federal Credit Union.
Overall, this year represents the most corporate sponsorship ever for
the cruise, which keeps getting bigger and better every year.
While some cruisers can be seen on Fort Street on Thursday and Friday
night, the official event doesn’t begin until 10 a.m. Saturday with a
parade of local mayors and sponsors. This year’s parade will start and
end in Riverview and be led by over 500 motorcycles.
The route for the cruise runs through the four host cities, Lincoln
Park, Riverview, Southgate and Wyandotte. The route extends from Outer
Drive in Lincoln Park to Pennsylvania in Riverview.
Along with the actual cruise, many car clubs and businesses have
scheduled special events throughout the day. Oldies 104.3 FM WOMC will
be broadcasting live throughout the day.
Tonight, the fourth annual Cruisin’ 4 A Cause event in Lincoln Park
will raise funds for the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center and
kickoff a weekend full of Cruisin’ Downriver activities.
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
featuring up to 20 of Downriver’s finest food vendors, live
entertainment, dancing, raffles and an auction.
The second annual Cruisin’ Downriver Kick-Off Party will be held
tomorrow night at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St., Southgate.
The Cruisin’ Downriver Kick-Off Party will take place 6 to 9 p.m. and
feature car-hop food, adult beverages, music and prizes and several
vintage and new 2005 Ford Mustangs, including the convertible used in
this year’s event logo.
The event is being hosted by the Southern Wayne County Regional
Chamber, AutoAlliance International, Crystal Gardens and The News-Herald
Newspapers.
Tickets are $30 per person and available by calling the chamber at
1-734-284-6000.
Official Cruisin’ Downriver T-shirts will be available Saturday
throughout the cruise route from the individual cities for $15 each. The
white T-shirt features a purple and yellow logo featuring the new 2005
Ford Mustang convertible.
For more information and photo galleries of past Cruisin’ Downriver
events, log onto www.cruisindownriver.com
Contact Auto Editor Mike Schaffer via e-mail at schaffer@heritage.com
or by phone at 1-734-246-0855. |
