By Jeremy Adragna
C & G Staff Writer

MADISON HEIGHTS — The city’s annual Afterglow Car and Motorcycle Show will be held this week to help raise money for kids activities and to give car cruisers another shot to show their vintage vehicles following the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise.

Classic cars, motorcycles and emergency vehicles will take over Civic Center Park on Sunday, Aug. 17, for the 11th year. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Madison Heights Youth, which works to raise money for young people in the city.

“It’s for the community,” said event organizer Mary Sames. “It benefits the youth of the city, and it’s just a fun day out. It’s a good way to wind out the Dream Cruise. For people that can’t get enough of it, they’ve got one more day if they come to our show.”

Since its inception in 1997, Friends of Madison Heights Youth has granted nearly $82,000 to local school districts, the Little House on Hales afterschool program and to help fund city projects for kids. Much of the money raised by the group comes from events like the Afterglow Car and Motorcycle Show and from help from the city of Madison Heights.

“We hold it for the youth of the city,” said Toni Shad, of the Friends of Madison Heights Youth. “We want to keep them active and out of trouble. We assist them in any way that we can. With funding cuts in the state, there isn’t a lot of money out there for the youth. They are our future and we better take care of them now.”

Car enthusiasts that take part in the event will have a chance to have their vehicles judged by a panel and awarded in various categories. Each vehicle that enters the event will also be given a dashboard plaque with the name of the event on it.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a good show,” said Shad. “The economy is not that great, but people always get involved in their cars; and this will be wonderful for the kids and their families.”

The event also features entertainment, a hula-hoop contest and prizes. New this year is a swap meet that is being organized for car enthusiasts to trade and sell car parts during the show, an addition that Sames brought to the event.

“This year we approached the City Council and asked for permission,” said Sames. “This year if someone wants to participate in a swap meet, they can do that this year.”

 The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Admission costs $2 for adults, $1 for students and kids are free. For more information, call Sames at (248) 709-8633 or Shad at (248) 583-4166.

Civic Center Park is located on 13 Mile between the I-75 expressway and John R.

You can reach Staff Writer Jeremy Adragna at jadragna@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1101.