Annual car cruise coming back to Downtown Wayne

Cruisin’ US12 happens again this year on Saturday, July 8th, 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 8th, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
For the 17th year in a row, Michigan Avenue and downtown Wayne will be packed with classic and custom cars. For the third 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.
“Pit stops add a little something extra,” said Lisa Kubany, DDA Marketing and Events Director. “It helps with the distribution of people too. Not everyone is congested. People are more spread out. It’s cool they get to see the entire stretch of the cruise instead of maybe just a mile.”
This year there will be five pit stops as well as a few honorable mentions to stop at.
There will be free air conditioned shuttles running every 20-25 minutes traveling between three shuttle stops located near pit stops. The three shuttle stops are: Biddle/Park St, behind Karma Coffee, and Jack Demmer Ford. Each pit stop will be marked with a sign and shuttles will be marked as well.
The first pit stop is US12 Bar & Grill. There will be live music, food, drinks, and the patio will be packed.
The second stop is the family fun zone at Wayne Historical Museum, Hillcrest Bible Church, and First Congregational. There will be carnival games, prizes, give-aways, and entertainment. This stop will have two food trucks: Fun Food Express Tent and Kona Ice.
This will be the first shuttle stop at Biddle/Park St.
The third pit stop is the outdoor vendor show in the city lot near Brookies. There will be around 30-40 vendors in the field along with Fun Food Express’ “main” truck.
The fourth stop is Books on the Ave and Karma Coffee. This is a pop-up vendor event from 12-4 p.m. Karma will be open selling ice cream and food.
This will be the second shuttle stop behind the tax building at apartments.
The fifth and final pit stop is Jack Demmer Ford. This stop will have a live band, car shows, and the following food trucks: Lobster Truck, Bad Mother Truckers BBQ, and Waffle Cabin Northville.
The third shuttle stop will be in the “Preowned Lot.”
Each pit stop and food truck’s running time will vary depending on location.
Porta potties will be stationed at the following locations: one at US12 Bar & Grill, two at the family fun zone (one handicap and one regular service), one at the vendors show lot, and two at Jack Demmer Ford.
There are nine honorable mention businesses that will be hosting an event: Harry J. Will Funeral Home with Hot Cars and Hot Cakes, Flowers in the Mitten with an inside event and free popcorn, Fat Man Nok’s World Famous Hot dogs outside of the Makers Market, Kicks Tae Kwon Do with a demo, Taste the Smoke BBQ, Brookies Café, State Wayne Theater with the Rocky Horror Picture Show cast, All Star Patriots Dance Company, Chelsey Crawford with a demo, and Kurt’s Caps.
These locations will be shown on the map. “It’s uniting the businesses with the community,” said Kubany. “Three new people wanted to join us this year, so the news is spreading.”
For the 8th year, Harry J. Will Funeral Homes will be hosting Hot Cars and Hot Cakes. Come from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. The parking lot opens at 8:30 a.m. Show registration is $10 per car and includes pancake breakfast. Additional tickets for adults are $5.00 Kids under 12 are free.
There will be prizes for Best in Show, Most Original, and Show Favorite. There will be special drawings to win a canvas picture of your car and more. Donations are being accepted to benefit childhood suicide prevention.
McDonald’s on the corner of Michigan Ave and Wayne Rd, will be hosting a kid friendly event starting at 10 a.m. with face painting and balloon art.
There will also be an art craft station and a radio station will also attend.
The Makers Market located at 34852 W. Michigan Ave and 2nd St. will be having an indoor event and providing free popcorn.
Parking lots in downtown will be 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.
“Thank you to our major sponsor Ford Motor Company, Wayne Assembly. They have supported the City of Wayne and the US12 Cruise all three years I have been involved and these events could not be possible without their support and contributions to the city,” said Kubany.
The DDA and cruise are still finalizing all the details for the event.