Let your imagination fly.

Remember those "good old days" of only 20 or 30 years ago or even five or 10 years ago — it only seems like yesterday, doesn’t it?

Well, remember those days again and let your imagination and the nostalgia fly on July 8, and join us in the first ever, inaugural Cruisin’ Downriver.

And relax; What’s the hurry here?

Cruisin’ Downriver is a daylong event, and you can go to any number of events Downriver any time during the day. Don’t worry, we won’t be offended, just come on by and see what our area has to offer.

And, when you’re cruisin’ down Fort Street, maybe give a thought to those who have worked v-e-r-y hard at making this a fun, family event for both Downriver folks and our friends in points north, south, east and west.

Say a big thanks to Ford Motor Co., sponsor, and Heritage, title sponsor, for not only kicking in their support but some generous cash as well to help cover much of the costs incurred by Riverview, Lincoln Park, Southgate and Wyandotte.

And, don’t forget about ASC Inc. and Rodgers Chevrolet, which also came through as contributing sponsors.

All of those mentioned have literally put their money where their mouths are and have stepped up to make Cruisin’ Downriver a marquee event for all of Downriver. Get ready to mix a weekend of fun, festivities and one of our favorite pastimes — our beautiful cars.

Then there are two groups of folks who will be very visible on July 8 and who have given and continue to give great support to the event — our law enforcement/public safety partners and hundreds of cruise club friends.

Paramount to Cruisin’ Downriver is public safety. This is an official non-alcohol, family-oriented event, and our blue-suited local police friends in each community, along with the (brown-suited) Wayne County Sheriff’s and (back to blue-suited) Michigan State Police have responded with such professionalism — under some difficult circumstances — that they each deserve a medal of valor and or honor for their efforts.

Tip your hat, too, to a group of folks from the Southern Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and Heritage Newspapers (you know who you are), who spent countless hours since November trying to make sure everything worked as well as possible for everyone involved.

Don’t forget about Oldies 104.3 WOMC and Wayne County, which have lent their names and invaluable expertise, not to mention WOMC’s priceless promotion.

I know this is starting to sound like an academy award speech (and it’ll be over soon), but these folks deserve some recognition, right?

Golden dash plaques have to go to the folks in the four communities directly involved; Southgate, Riverview, Lincoln Park and Wyandotte, who have helped and advised about the cruise since the day each of their mayors (or duly appointed representatives) gracefully accepted this event way back in the cooooold month of January.

And, finally, thanks to Nextel Communications for providing all police officers with direct-connect phones so they can all communicate.

OK, so much for my soapbox.

All of the cruisers I’ve talked to, and I’ve talked to a lot of them, have said they are going to make sure this event remains a fun, family-oriented event, and I believe them.

When you’re talking to people about cars that cost $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000 and more, plus a lot of sweat equity, they’re serious about making sure their "babies" aren’t "injured" by one or two out of control misfits.

Remember, and I can’t say this strongly enough, cars and booze don’t mix, especially when there are thousands of spectators lining the sides of the roads.

As I was saying, come on down, enjoy the event and patronize your local businesses.

Business Editor Gary Gosselin can be reached by e-mail at gary@heritage.com or by phone at 1-734-246-0861.