By Ken Welsch, Heritage Newspapers

Event organizers will say, Cruisin’ Downriver is for car lovers and owners.

They’re the people who make it happen.

But behind the scenes are people and businesses that make the Cruise a possibility, donating their time and money into what has quickly grown to become one of the largest attended events Downriver.

This year, Heritage Newspapers and ASC, Inc. are Cruisin’ Downriver Gold Sponsors.

Ford Motor Co. and Rodgers Chevrolet stepped in and achieved Bronze Sponsor status.

Together, those four companies generated the bulk of the financing required to host a cruise each summer.

From an organizational standpoint, the Southern Wayne County Chamber of Commerce is still largely responsible for ensuring that the cruise becomes a reality.

WOMC, 104.3-FM, is the official radio station of the cruise, and lists as a marketing sponsor, according to SWCCC President Ed Clemente.