Cruisin’
Downriver Preview: Sixth annual cruise ready to roll down Fort Street
By Kristyn Marshall
The official countdown has begun.
Right down to the last weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds,
Downriver residents and businesses have been anxiously awaiting the
arrival of this Saturday when classic cars will roll down Fort Street
for the sixth annual Cruisin’ Downriver.
It’s the largest event of its kind Downriver, attracting around
500,000 people from all over the region and neighboring states who will
gather to showcase and admire their dream cars.
Residents from neighborhood streets will choose a comfortable spot at
the curb to enjoy the show and a full day in the warm, summer sun with
family and friends. Businesses along the 6.5-mile route will prepare
their own celebrations, offering special promotions, sales, contests,
entertainment and food to entice the crowds of people sitting outside
their storefronts.
But before the cruise officially begins on Saturday, there are plenty
of events taking place around the area that help build the excitement
leading up to this much anticipated event.
Since the very beginning, six years ago, the cities of Lincoln Park,
Riverview, Southgate and Wyandotte, along with the News-Herald
Newspapers and the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber have
collaboratively worked together on all aspects of this fun and exciting
event.
Each year it gets bigger and better as the cities plan and organize a
variety of activities along the route prior to and during the cruise
that even non-auto enthusiasts can enjoy.
“Everyone benefits from this event,” SWCRC President Alan Anderson
said. “It’s a rewarding experience for the cities, the residents and the
businesses along the route. It stimulates commerce and recreation.”
Although this is Anderson’s first year on the Cruisin’ Downriver
steering committee, he said he has attended every cruise in the past and
he has always been impressed.
“This event has evolved tremendously over the years and the marketing
and exposure opportunities it presents to the business community and the
region as a whole is phenomenal,” he said.
The SWCRC will host a kick-off party to gear-up for this year’s
cruise tomorrow at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.
The kick-off celebration will feature a beach party theme complete
with picnic food, adult beverages, music, prizes and a car show with
classic convertible Ford Mustangs from each decade.
The event will be co-hosted by AutoAlliance International Inc.,
Crystal Gardens Banquet Center and the News-Herald Newspapers.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
www.swccc.org or call 1-734-
284-6000. |
