Clawson prepares for Down on Main Street car show Aug. 13

CLAWSON — The Clawson Lions Club is gearing up to host its annual Down on Main Street car show on Saturday, Aug. 13. The event, now in its 24th year, takes place one week before the Woodward Dream Cruise and is the club’s largest fundraiser.

Clive Brown, the event chair and longtime Clawson Lions Club member, said he expects up to 400 entries and 8,000 visitors, as long as the weather cooperates.

The event will be held rain or shine, and there is no cost to attend.

“As far as parking goes, Main Street will be blocked off from 14 to Chippewa, and the side streets are blocked off to through traffic,” Brown said. “The Police Department and (Department of Public Works) will help with that. Parking is going to be at a premium, as it is everywhere.”

The cost to register a vehicle is $20, and the Lions Club will check in vehicles for registration behind The Lucky Duck Clawson and Whiskey Taco Foxtrot, Brown said. Registration will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Spectators may want to wait until after 10 a.m. to attend to avoid the setup time and traffic.

He said the late Howie Airriess co-founded the show in cooperation with the city to promote the city’s businesses.

“I will say this last year out of 23 years was the second-best year,” Brown said. “This year, if the weather holds out, (it could be) another banner year. After expenses, we hope to garner about $15,000.”

Brown said all proceeds from the event benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind, Eversight Michigan, Beaumont Silent Children, the Penrickton Center for Blind Children in Taylor, and other charities and projects throughout the year.

The Lions Club in partnership with United Street Machine Association will hand out more than 200 trophies, and Brown said he hopes to start the award ceremony at around 4 p.m.

“Everybody that is there donates, and everybody is a winner,” he said. “If you can get it down Main Street, we’ll put it out. We’ll find a spot for it.”

In the past, he said, entries included a small fixed-wing aircraft, hard-sided retro campers, motorcycles and a boat.

The Lions Club will sell T-shirts, car show posters and popcorn at its yellow tent, and the event also will include street vendors and deals offered by local shops.

From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, the Clawson Fraternal Order of Eagles will present a music event featuring the Aspersions playing songs from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s at its aerie, 174 Bowers St., north of 14 Mile Road.

From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, the Eagles will host their annual corn roast. Members and the public are invited to purchase corn, bratwurst, hamburgers, chips and beverages.

“For many years, Clawson Aerie #3926 donations have supported local community organizations including the Clawson Youth Assistance, Clawson High School Senior Party, Beaumont Children’s Hospital and more,” Eagles Aerie #3926 President Candy Ather-Putman wrote in an email.

As far as COVID-19 precautions, Brown said, the Lions Club will have its golf carts equipped with face masks and hand sanitizer, and there will also be hand sanitizer stations set up by the portable toilets.

“We discussed (the COVID-19 protocols) in great detail at our meetings and with the city people,” he said. “People have changed their ways according to what’s good and what’s bad and learned to live with a little more sanitary concern.”

For more information about the car show, visit clawsonlions.org or email info@clawsonlions.org.

For more information about the Eagles, visit www.foe.com.