Preparations are well under way for the ninth annual Cruisin’ Downriver classic car cruise, scheduled for Fort Street on June 28.

The event, which draws tens of thousands of spectators each year, is coordinated by the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, The News-Herald Newspapers and the cities of Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, Southgate and Riverview.

Key sponsors include AutoAlliance and Meijer. A complete list of sponsors is still being gathered and will be finalized and announced shortly.

WOMC, the summertime cruising radio station, again will broadcast from spots throughout the course. Friday night, WOMC will be in Riverview. Cruise day, the radio station will be in various locations in the other three cities.

According to officials, the good news is that various road construction projects will not hamper participants or According to officials, the good news is that various road construction projects will not hamper participants or spectators interested in this year’s cruise.

Downriver construction on I-75 will be done by the weekend of the cruise, so there will be no stops between Sibley Road and the Rouge River bridge. The Gateway Project near Tiger Stadium in Detroit will be the only I-75 detour still in place.

Near the cruise route, Ford (North Line) Avenue between Biddle Avenue and Fort Street in Wyandotte will be under construction for resurfacing, and would be a street worth avoiding.

Many of the events surrounding Cruisin’ Downriver will remain the same as in the past.

The Thursday evening before the cruise, the chamber will host its annual kickoff party at Thomas’ Crystal Gardens in Southgate. That gathering features plenty of “car hop” food and drinks, entertainment and music, and classic cars on display.

While Cruisin’ Downriver doesn’t officially kick off until Saturday morning, in reality, cruise weekend gets into full swing the Friday before, as classic cars from across the region make their appearance on the Fort Street course and throughout parking lots Downriver.

The city of Riverview sets the pace by kicking off its annual summer festival that day in Young Patriots Park, just a hop, step and jump off the main route on Sibley, just west of Fort.

The festival features everything from food, drink and music to demonstrations by firefighters, softball tournaments, children’s rides and a classic car show near the reflection pond in the park.

For those who want to start the cruise weekend on the right foot, there isn’t a better place to be on Friday night, and Riverview will again feature a fireworks display.

Likewise, Wyandotte’s annual fireworks display on the riverfront — one of the finest spots to see a display in the entire region —also will be that Friday night.

Saturday’s activities will start with the Mayor’s Parade up and down the course in the early morning hours. The official cruise begins right afterward and lasts until dusk on Fort Street throughout the cities of Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, Southgate and Riverview.

The cruise runs from Outer Drive on the north end all the way down to Sibley on the south.

Hot viewing spots are in ample supply, but the pedal usually hits the metal in the area of Fort and Pennsylvania, in the heart of Southgate, directly in front of Meijer.

The hottest spot on the north end of the course usually is centered in Lincoln Park, near the city’s band shell — another good viewing point.

For regular updates on the ninth annual Cruisin’ Downriver, along with historical references and a map of the route, see The News-Herald’s Web site at Cruisindownriver.com. The site also features the newest logo for the cruise, which shows a Ford Model T centering two other classics. The Model T is celebrating its 100th anniversary.