A shorter route, many street parties.
That sums up the changes for this year’s Gratiot Cruise in Clinton Township on Sunday, August 7th.
Due to ongoing road construction, the cruise will run from Quinn Road, near the Target Mall, to Wendell Street, north of 16 Mile Road.
Now in its 20th year, the Gratiot Cruise will have plenty of street parties along the way 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.”
Photos courtesy of Clinton Township Parks and Recreation Department
The chance to brush and paint a real car is a highlight of the Family Fun Zone at the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise. (MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO)
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.”
Also at Regional, the Clinton Township Recreation Department will host the Family Fun Zone with pedal car races, bounce houses, trucks, paint a car, Great Shots cornhole, Clinton Township Police Bike Raffle against firemen and free bike helmets. courtesy of McLaren Macomb Hospital.
• At the Bravado Event Center, Kreative Body Works will offer 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.
Cruise Committee Chairman Jim Tignanelli established 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 mostly sunny skies with a chance of showers and a high near 90 degrees.
Official hours for the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit ctgratiotcruise.com.
