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MIKE SCHAFFER: TOP 10 REASONS WE LOVE CRUISIN' DOWNRIVER
10. THE ROUTE
Much consideration was taken in choosing the best
route for Cruisin’ Downriver. And Fort Street is the route that not only
best represents what Downriver is all about, but also offers the best
experience for both cruisers and spectators.
The cruise extends north from Sibley Road in Riverview
through Southgate and Wyandotte all the way up to Outer Drive in Lincoln
Park. Fort Street has become synonymous with Cruisin’ Downriver.
Fort Street has become such an important part of the
event that the Michigan Department of Transportation cooperates with
cruise organizers months in advance to make sure traffic signals and
turnarounds are coordinated, and that the road is clear of construction
barrels and safe to travel each and every year.
How cool is that?
9. THE FOOD
What do car enthusiasts get after a few hours of
watching some classics roll by? Hungry!
There are plenty of offerings each year along the
cruise route, from restaurants to portable hot dog stands and
chicken-and-rib grills. Several businesses, most notably in Lincoln
Park, even give away free hot dogs, ice cream, tacos, corn on the cob
and pizza if you are in the right place at the right time.
8. PRECRUISE EVENTS
Lincoln Park’s Cruisin’ 4 A Cause black-tie charity
fund-raiser, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s annual Cruisin’
Downriver Kick-Off Party at Crystal Gardens in Southgate and various car
shows and concerts on the days leading up the cruise have made Cruisin’
Downriver more than a one-day event that’s evolved into a weeklong
festival for car enthusiasts throughout the region.
7. PEOPLE-WATCHING
While the cars are at center stage, the people behind
the machines and the spectators who gather by the hundreds of thousands
to watch Cruisin’ Downriver every year can be just as entertaining. Even
if you’re not a classic-car enthusiast, you can approach any of the car
owners as they park along the cruise route, ask them about their pride
and joy, and they will greet you with a friendly answer.
6. SUMMERFEST IN RIVERVIEW
One of our favorite precruise events, Summerfest and
its fireworks display not only signal the beginning of summer with a
bang, but the beginning of another Cruisin’ Downriver weekend. Hundreds
of classic cars circle the pond at Young Patriots Park — along with live
entertainment, various food vendors and children running and playing in
anticipation of the fireworks show at dusk — is an awesome, awesome
setting. Big thumbs up to Riverview!
5. OLDIES 104.3 WOMC-FM
The official radio station of Cruisin’ Downriver,
Oldies 104.3 WOMC-FM does a tremendous job year in and year out of
keeping cruisers entertained while they make their way up and down Fort
Street — and perhaps more importantly, informed on cruise-related events
happening along the route. Other radio stations also broadcast from the
cruise because of its growing popularity, but WOMC dedicates its entire
broadcast day to Cruisin’ Downriver and is your best source for
cruise-related fun.
4. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Each and every year, more and more live entertainment
is offered along the cruise route, from inside bars to park band shells
to makeshift stages set up in parking lots.
3. CRUISIN’
Nothing can duplicate the experience of driving down
Fort Street during Cruisin’ Downriver, whether you’re driving a classic
Ford Mustang convertible or the family minivan. The trip will take a
little longer than usual, but the rainbow of colorful sights, sounds and
smells along the way will make memories of a lifetime and bring out the
kid in all of us.
2. COMMUNITY PRIDE
As Downriver’s premier community event, Cruisin’
Downriver attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Fort Street each
and every year. Many of these car enthusiasts come from across the
state, and some even from across the nation. Not only does the cruise
route unite the four host cities of Lincoln Park, Riverview, Southgate
and Wyandotte, but it also brings together the entire region for a
family-friendly event we can all view with pride.
1. THE CARS
Face it Downriver, we have a love affair with cars!
We love the classic ’57 Thunderbirds and the ’55
Chevys, the ’69 Camaro and the ’70 Chevelle SS muscle cars, all of the
Corvettes and the 40-plus years of the Ford Mustang, to name a few. We
love the flamed paint jobs, the chrome side pipes, the low rumbles of
the powerful engines and the smell of burning rubber. We love to take
care of them, baby them and envy and respect those who do the same.
But most of all, we love to show off and drive them in
Cruisin’ Downriver!
Contact Auto Editor Mike Schaffer via e-mail at
schaffer@heritage.com or by phone at 1-734-246-0855. |
