Cars take on Gratiot Avenue for 10-year-anniversary event

By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

EASTPOINTE — When cruise planners came up with the concept for Cruisin’ Gratiot a decade ago, they wanted to put Eastpointe on the map.

Mission accomplished.

The cruise attracts a crowd of significantly more than the 100,000 each year, and many of these people probably never visited the city before the first cruise.

That’s exactly what the city wanted when it launched this cruise — to bring people out so they can see all that Eastpointe has to offer.

“The Cruisin’ Gratiot committee is extremely excited to be celebrating 10 years of tradition down Gratiot Avenue,” Cruisin’ Gratiot President Karen Arondoski said. “The support of the community and cruisers is always amazing and continues to grow every year, allowing us to give back more to the community and local charities, and we look forward to seeing Cruisin’ Gratiot rolling for many more years to come.” 

This year’s weeklong cruise festivities will start June 9 with car shows and activities planned along the strip each night, culminating with the big cruise day on June 14.

The cruise has grown substantially over the years by adding to the events and activities that surround the cruise itself. Events like the Cruisin’ Gratiot Idol competition spawned from the big event. The Idol competition is in its third year.

“For the city, it’s a great week when people come out to walk down to Gratiot, and find a place to sit by the side of the street for the day,” Mayor Suzanne Pixley said. “It’s a great time to have friends and relatives from outside of the city come to visit, and for us to be proud of the city and the community spirit that we have here. For others, it’s the chance to take in all kinds of music, meet all kinds of people, and have a lot of fun and laughs for the entire week of events.”

The first time the cars officially took to the avenue was in 1999, and planners expected big things.

“I think this is doing exactly what it was meant to do — generate a lot of business and excitement for everyone,” said cruise creator and Cloverleaf Bar and Restaurant Manager Carol Corrie in 1999. “Everyone can share in the excitement and the prosperity of it.”

Since then, it has benefited both businesses and the city government.    

“It’s a great event for the city and for the people here,” Pixley said. “I think it will last 10 more years, and will grow to be an even bigger event. 

“It has brought new business and residents to the city, and I think it will continue to do so,” she said. “It has also helped the various nonprofit groups that have booths or events to help raise money for the various charities, and that should only continue to grow at a time when our charities are in desperate need.”

This 10-year anniversary comes at a good time in the city since the new face of the city, its reconstructed City Hall, is up and getting closer to completion.

“We are a growing city, and we’re a city that’s improving,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Catherine Green said. “They’re going to think of the city as a new city.”

It won’t be a dull week on the avenue since there’s something planned for everyone, including hot rods, music, food and more. Spectators and participants can purchase a T-shirt or other memorabilia as well.

“The cruise is one of the best events in the city because it brings such excitement to the city,” Pixley said. “There is something that grabs the attention of everyone when a great looking, restored car revs up its engine as it drives down Gratiot.

“To some, it brings back the memories of their first car, or the first time they cruised down Gratiot with high school friends, impressing others with the car that looked or sounded the best, or even had the fastest getaway from the corner,” she said. “To others, it’s knowing how much work goes into fixing up an engine or doing all the body work that makes us all take a second look and shake the hand of the owner.”

For specific events and information about registering a car in the cruise, visit www.cruisin-gratiot.com.

You can reach Staff Writer April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1043.