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By Andrea Blum

SOUTHGATE — Car aficionados will have plenty of tunes to accompany their ride during this year’s Cruisin’ Downriver.

The sixth annual event has grown steadily each year, with thousands of classic car buffs lining Southgate’s stretch of the cruise from North Line to Pennsylvania Road.

“It’s gotten bigger and better every time,” Mayor Dennis David said, adding that the event may soon rival the Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak.

“The car shows coming to Southgate week after week show that we have a strong complement of classic car owners Downriver.”

People start gearing up for the summertime celebration earlier each year, he added.

“The first few years we had it, there were a couple hundred cars out beforehand, and now it’s a traffic jam already on Friday,” he said.

Businesses along the route get in on the act by displaying official “Cruisin’ Downriver” signs in their windows and offering special sales and promotions.

The party unofficially starts Friday night, as Southgate Ford and United Auto Workers Region 1A team up to host country music station 99.5 WYCD-FM. National country music recording artist Jamie O’Neal will headline a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday.

The station will broadcast live from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday featuring music from REDHILL from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Crystal Hayes, Miss Michigan 2005 also will be on hand to sign autographs.

“It’s always jam-packed,” dealership General Manager Jim Jurcak said. “It’s really big in this area.”

Hundreds of spectators fill the car dealership’s lot, which is emptied for the event, to enjoy music and food.

“I’d say about 80 percent of the cruising goes on between Pennsylvania and Eureka roads,” Jurcak said.

And cruisers remember the fun long after they’ve packed up and gone home.

“When people find out where you’re at, that’s 90 percent of selling cars,” he said.

Southgate Lincoln Mercury also gets in on the act with a live broadcast from classic rock station 94.7 WCSX-FM.

The Old School Car Club helps kick things off Friday with a car show in the parking lot of Super Kmart, 16705 Fort St.

A variety of vintage and custom cars will be spotlighted Friday and Saturday.

Performances from the Motor City Kings and Legend also are planned during the event.

“It’ll be great music and a fun time,” said car club member Jan Cronce.

“They’ll have a lift that will take people up so they can see the cruise down Fort Street.”

The official Cruisin’ Downriver radio station, Oldies 104.3 WOMC-FM pumps up the jams from 1 to 4 p.m. at Super Kmart.

This year, the city’s portion of the cruise is sponsored by Meijer, which will hold the Meijer Family Cruisin’ event Saturday.

“They’ve done the event for the past two years and our emphasis will be there,” Parks and Recreation Director Allen Kowalkowski said.

The party happens in the parking lot at Meijer, 16300 Fort St. and features live bands, clowns, games, prizes and inflatable amusements.

The Roam’n Chariots car club will display classic cars from its members and also host a Tribute to Veterans ceremony from 1 to 1:30 p.m. All veterans are invited to take part in the program.

Balloon man Randall Lee will fashion a jungle of creatures from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by an eclectic mix of rock, country and oldies during a performance from Vocal Point from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Carey Ann’s Clown Caravan also will be on hand for face painting from 2 to 5 p.m.

Strolling magician Steve Ryder will provide some mysterious tricks from 3 to 5 p.m.