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By Jason Alley, The News-Herald

LINCOLN PARK — If you come to this city to enjoy Cruisin’ Downriver and stay throughout the day, you’ll leave with a full belly without spending a dime.

Businesses up and down the cruise route are giving away free food during the day to anyone who stops in.

“It’s a creative way to get people to go through the whole city and mingle with all the restaurants and businesses and get to know them if they don’t already,” said Councilman Thomas Murphy, an organizer of this year’s cruise.

“It worked out very well last year and we’re hoping for another good showing this year.”

Ray Sylejmani, who owns Ray's Coney Island, 1657 Fort St., said his business went through many packages of hot dogs last year.

“We try to help the cruise because we want to keep it going as long as we can,” he said. “It’s something that you see once a year. It shows appreciation for the neighborhood, too.”

As a business owner whose shop is about a block and half north of Southfield, Sylejmani said, he hopes the giveaway will attract more foot traffic in the area.

While the cruise route officially goes to Outer Drive, he said, many cruisers and spectators don’t venture past Southfield.

“We’re hoping that people will go all the way down to see everything that is going on,” he said.

Another north-of-Southfield business owner said he, too, feels the pinch on cruise day.

“We probably only get about a third of the cars coming down here,” said Bryan Craddock, who owns BC’s Pizza, 1226 Fort St.

Will giving out free slices of pizza attract more?

“You know, I’m not really sure,” Craddock said. “We’re trying to promote people, as well as the cars, to come down to the north end of Lincoln Park. You try whatever you can to make it work and hope that it does.”

The cruise will get kicked off Friday evening with a host of free activities at Memorial Park, off Fort Street between London and Merrill.

The fun begins at 6 p.m. with a concert and a bicycle show.

Known as the female version of Jimi Hendrix, Lemon James will perform until 9 p.m.

Al Petri & Sons Bicycle Center is hosting a low-rider and custom bike show. Registration continues throughout the concert with awards being given at 9 p.m.

Once the music stops and the bikes are judged, people can settle down on the grass and watch “Garfield: The Movie” on a big outside screen.

People are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to get comfortable for the movie, which will begin at dusk.

As the cars being to creep down Fort Street Saturday morning, Memorial Park will continue as the place to be for special events.

The annual King and Queen Pageant kicks off at 9 a.m. with children ages 5 to 15 being judged for their personality, appearance and public speaking.

Each will have two minutes to talk about the importance of the city having a handicap-accessible park.

Winners will be announced at 11:45 a.m. The king and queen will be given a victory lap during the cruise, among other prizes.

Once the little ones are off the stage, the older ones will hop on to rock out.

A Battle of the Bands will begin at 1 p.m. with a variety of area bands performing for the top prize.

Each band is made up of members 21 years old and younger. Judges will listen to each and will vote by ballot. The winner will be announced at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Musical entertainment will flow through the city as singers and bands will perform at four venues.

At Memorial Park, FCA will be on from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by Special Delivery from 3 to 6 p.m. and Paisley Fogg from 6 to 9 p.m.

Outside the Suburban Party Store, 3868 Fort St., Rockin Hoss takes the stage from 1 to 3 p.m. and Sworn to Oath from 3 to 6 p.m.

The Park Restaurant, 1681 Fort St., will host Don Gilleran from 1 to 3 p.m., Identity Crisis from 3 to 6 p.m. and Concrete Pillow from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tunes also will be coming from the deck of Fort Street Brewery, 1660 Fort St. Sudden Change kicks things off from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by Black Jack from 3 to 6 p.m. Lemon James returns for an encore performance and will close out the night from 6 to 9 p.m.