Annual car cruise coming back to Downtown Wayne

Cruisin’ US12 happens again this year on Saturday, July 9th, from about 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Photo by J. Byrnes

By Sarah Shurge – Mark your calendars because the annual car cruise, Cruisin’ US12 is quickly approaching. The event will be happening on Saturday, July 9th, from about 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For the 16th year in a row, Michigan Avenue and downtown Wayne will be packed with classic and custom cars. For the second year in a row, pit stops will be returning up and down Michigan Ave for the community to enjoy, thanks to the city of Wayne Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) partnership with the cruise.
This year there will be eight pit stops as well as a few honorable mentions to stop at.
There will be air-conditioned shuttles running every 20-25 minutes from Mark Chevrolet down to Jack Demmer Ford to transport people from stop to stop. Each pit stop will be marked with a sign and shuttles will be marked as well.
“Last year everyone really enjoyed the pit stops,” said Lisa Kubany, DDA Marketing and Events Director. “We will have more signs this year, so people know where to get on the shuttles and explain what the events are. Hopefully it will be clearer for our spectators.”
The first stop is Mark Chevrolet, a new partner to the cruise. This stop will have live entertainment, a car club, and four food trucks that will be open from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. The food trucks are: EggRoll Diva selling egg rolls, The Grill Father BBQ selling ribs, chicken, sausage, and hotdogs, Love Froyo & Ice Cream selling frozen yogurt and ice cream, and Paradox Coffee selling coffee.
The second stop is on 2nd St. in Veteran’s Plaza hosted by the Knights of Columbus. The Knights have put together a motorcycle show (a first for the cruise). This stop will also have a DJ, then a band, as well as a beer garden for people 21 and older. There will be three food trucks running from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Cinnabon, Like Family Homestyle Catering, and Hogz Backyard BBQ selling waffles, chicken wings, and BBQ.
The third stop is US12 Bar and Grill on the corner of 2nd St. with live music on the patio, hot food, and cold beer. This stop will run from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and then the after-party will start inside at the bar.
The fourth stop is called the Family Fun Zone. This is at the Wayne Historical Museum on Towne Square St. behind the PNC Bank. There will be carnival games, prizes, fire engines, as well as three food trucks running from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The food trucks are: Khalipha’s Mobile Kitchen selling burgers, fries, tacos, and BBQ, Sunny’s Sweets and Treats selling bubble waffles and tacos with cotton candy pucker power, and a Kona Truck selling shaved ice cream.
The fifth stop will be a vendor show in the open lot next to Brookie’s Cafe Wayne. Jen’s Wayne Treasures will be hosting 40 outside vendors at this stop. There will also be three food trucks open from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The food trucks are: Los Dos Amigos Taco Truck selling taco-mex, Fun Food Express selling sandwiches and fries, and Sweetjays Cupcakes selling cupcakes and desserts.
The sixth stop will be at Karma Coffee Shop & Kitchen and Books on the Ave on Michigan Ave, past Sophia St. This stop will have an outdoor vendor show and barbeque with hamburgers and hotdogs.
The seventh stop will be at Kurt’s Caps on Michigan Ave, past Clark St. This stop is offering ice cold water, as well as a free public restroom. Kurt’s Caps will also be selling shirts.
The eighth and final stop is at Jack Demmer Ford, Inc. on Michigan Ave, before Newburgh Rd. There will be a band, car show, Mustang club, and three food trucks running from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The food trucks are: Bad Mother Truckers selling wraps, tenders, and fries, Motor City Sweets, and the Lobster Truck selling lobster rolls and seafood.
Each pit stop and food truck’s running time will vary depending on location.
A porta potty will be stationed at Mark Chevrolet, US12 Bar and Grill, the Veteran’s Plaza, the vendors show, and Jack Demmer Ford.
Harry J. Will Funeral Homes on Michigan Ave, past 4th St. is an honorable mention to stop at. Come from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. for hot cakes and hot rods. Breakfast is $5 a ticket and kids ages 12-under eat free. Donations are being accepted to benefit childhood diabetes.
The parking lot opens at 8:30 a.m. You can register your classic car for $10. There will be prizes for Best in Show, Most Original, and Show Favorite.
McDonald’s on the corner of Michigan Ave and Wayne Rd, will be hosting a kid friendly event starting 10 a.m. with a balloon artist and magician. A radio station will also attend.
The Makers Market located at 34852 W. Michigan Ave and 2nd St. will be having a Christmas in July sale at the market. They will also be hosting a “holding area” for those that want to shop the event but don’t want to carry their bags up and down Michigan Ave. This stop will be open 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
As always, parking lots in downtown are hosting local car clubs, while other cars will be driving up and down Michigan Ave. Thousands of cars show up each year for the cruise, and there are lots of regulars and crowd favorites expected to make an appearance.
You can bring a lawn chair and find a spot to sit on the side of Michigan Ave to watch the action in between visiting the eight pit stops throughout downtown from Mark Chevrolet to Jack Demmer Ford.
“We really wanted to make it more walkable. It’s our goal to get everyone in the downtown area and walk the two miles. We have an event every quarter mile if not closer together” said Kubany.