To get ahead of ourselves, the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise will take place next Sunday, August 7th from 11 am to 6 pm. So don’t show up this Sunday, because there will be no cruise.
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Cruising and music go together like grease and engines, and wherever there’s live music, there’s soon a party.
That’s why this year’s Gratiot Cruise in Clinton Township on Sunday, August 7th will have more street parties than ever, with live bands, activities, displays, raffles, static car shows and refreshments.
And many classic vehicles.
“The key is to get more people to Gratiot Avenue and the result is more cars,” said James Tignanelli, chairman of the Gratiot Cruise volunteer committee that works year-round to organize the eight-year event. hours.
“When owners see what’s happening, with more people coming out, it makes them want to invest and be involved next year with ways to celebrate these classic cars.”
Macomb County’s largest procession of hot rods, roadsters, motorcycles, vintage vehicles, pickup trucks and other wheeled contraptions is expected to draw 200,000 people from Southeast Michigan and beyond.
This will be a common scene on Sunday as people pull out their lawn chairs to watch the procession go by. (MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO)
Tignanelli, a retired police officer with the Fraser Department of Public Safety, said the COVID-19 downtime in 2020 gave the committee an opportunity to assess what improvements need to be made.
“Covid gave us pause to think about ways to refresh our ideas,” he said. “We have moved some things and improved the events at the Regional Mall. I think people will enjoy it.”
Now in its 20th year, the cruise route has been disrupted by road construction. For this year only, it will run from Quinn Road to Wellington Crescent.
Gearheads and others will set up lawn chairs or lay out a blanket to sit on as they watch the cruise cars go by.
Other changes made for this year include the relocation of several activities formerly held at the cruise headquarters in Gratiot on 16 Mile Road to the Gratiot Mall near 15 Mile Road.
Monster Trucks, live bands and giveaways
Here are some highlights to look for:
• Freddy’s Rocks the Gratiot Cruise, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the regional parking lot, is presented by Freddy’s Bar. In addition to food trucks, craft vendors and children’s activities, there will be live music featuring Battle of the Bands, Chit and Dave Hamilton.
The Reptoid Monster Truck is a crowd favorite. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KBW HOT RODS DETROIT)
“Oh, I’m really looking forward to playing on the cruise,” said Screamin’ Scott Randall of WRIF-FM (101.1) and Chit member. “The best party in the free world! Hope to see you all there.”
Regional will also feature a family fun zone, pedal car races, bounce houses, touch-a-truck, car painting, Great Shots corn hole, Clinton Township Police vs. Fire Bike Riffle and free bike helmets courtesy of McLaren Macomb Hospital.
• At the Bravado Event Center, KBW Hot Rods will have a car show featuring Reptoid Racing’s Reptoid Monster Truck. The Reptoid team will be raffling off a 1965 Mustang Fastback, with proceeds going to families of wounded and fallen veterans.
The venue will also host a Mega Truck Standing Tall, a 1948 Ford F7 truck with a lift and Reptoid driver Mark Pederson posing for photos.
There will be food and drink specials on the second floor of the Rendezvous Restaurant.
“We’re going to hang out, talk to people outside their cars, look at all the cool cars that come by and basically have a good time,” said Chris “Ace” Ustik, show promoter for KBW Hot Rods.
Longtime cruise line president Jim Tignanelli prepared the trophies for the awards ceremony at a past event. (MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO)
• At the Cruise headquarters near 16 Mile, there will be entertainment by MK Entertainment, a WCSX-FM (94.7) remote broadcast, car show awards and more.
• Several bars, diners and other businesses will have entertainment, food and drink available.
People attending the cruise are advised to stay hydrated. The National Weather Service forecast calls for sunny conditions, with a high near 88 degrees.
Official hours for the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise are 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but some events may start earlier. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit ctgratiotcruise.com.
