Open Mike: Cruisin' Downriver is 'the
best thing they ever did Downriver'
By Mike Schaffer, The News-Herald
If you’ve had an opportunity to visit www.cruisindownriver.com
anytime since last year, you’ve seen a second-by-second countdown to
this year’s event.
In the middle of winter, when the furthest thing from one’s mind is
cruising down Fort Street, this little reminder keeps us car guys and
gals thinking about spring and Cruisin’ Downriver.
Well, I’m happy to report that the countdown to the 2005 Cruisin’
Downriver is literally just days away and this year’s event promises to
be the biggest ever.
Last year was my first Cruisin’ Downriver and I had a blast. And,
judging from the crowds, I wasn’t alone.
Everywhere I went last year, I heard compliments heaped upon
compliments about Downriver’s premier community event. However, seeing,
hearing and smelling the event in person for the first time tops them
all.
“This is the best thing they ever did Downriver.”
“This is the coolest thing I’ve ever been to in my life.”
“This is awesome!”
And that was just a sample of what I heard on Friday night, before
the actual event ever officially began!
Greeted by perfect weather, cruisers and spectators were out in full
force last year. Hopefully, the weatherman will cooperate again this
year, but rain or shine, I’m sure cruisers will make the best of it.
I was especially impressed with the Classic Car Show at Young
Patriots Park in Riverview on Friday night last year. What a beautiful
setting! I’ll be there again this year along with the Downriver
Wanderers Car Club.
Having the Riverview Fire Department host an open house that night is
also a great idea and worth checking out. And don’t forget about the
fireworks display at dusk.
I’m surprised other communities along the cruise route and throughout
Downriver don’t take a page out of Riverview’s playbook and host some
sort of pre-cruise car show this week.
Another can’t miss event is the annual burnout contest at Southgate
Ford on Friday night, which poses an interesting dilemma of deciding
where to be on Friday, Riverview or Southgate.
The contest is always very entertaining and gives cruisers a chance
to show off and burn some rubber in a relatively safe setting rather
than tearing up the streets.
The parade to officially begin the cruise on Saturday morning
featured three of the four mayors from the host cities last year and I’m
hopeful we’ll have all four mayors represented this year. In addition,
this year’s parade will be led the local Harley-Davidson HOG chapter, so
you will probably hear us coming!
Much thanks in advance goes to the Michigan State Police and local
police departments for helping clear the way on Fort Street for the
parade for keeping Cruisin’ Downriver a safe, family-oriented event year
after year.
Southgate’s Meijer and Kmart stores — arguably the epicenter of
Cruisin’ Downriver activity — deserve a big thumbs-up for welcoming
cruisers with open arms and hosting a variety of activities. They both
have earned plenty of customers for their hospitality during the cruise
through the years and that will undoubtedly continue this year.
Lincoln Park continues to make improvements and attract more and more
cruisers to the north side of the cruise route. The city has also worked
closely with the Michigan Department of Transportation to make sure all
road work on Fort Street will be suspended and all lanes will be open
during the cruise.
Finally, make sure you get your official 2005 Cruisin’ Downriver
T-shirt featuring the 2005 Ford Mustang convertible at one of the four
host cities booths or The News-Herald booth. The T-shirt is $15 and
proceeds help pay for city workers’ overtime that help make Cruisin’
Downriver the great event it is.
Some cities and the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber even have
past Cruisin’ Downriver T-shirts available if you are interested in
collecting them all. To vote for your favorite Cruisin’ Downriver
T-shirt and be entered in a drawing to win a free 2005 edition, visit
www.cruisindownriver.com for more details.
That Web site is also where you will find hundreds of photos from
2005 Cruisin’ Downriver following the event and, of course, a countdown
to the 2006 event.
But first, let’s all have a great time this week during the spectacle
that has become Cruisin’ Downriver.
Contact Auto Editor Mike Schaffer via e-mail at schaffer@heritage.com
or by phone at 1-734-246-0855. |
