Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot drives into town

EASTPOINTE — On your marks, get set, go — it’s time for the annual Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot.

This year’s event marks a milestone as the classic cruise celebrates 25 years of hot rods, classic cars, poodle skirts, convertibles and fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror.

Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot 2024 is set for June 15, but the festivities will kick off a few days earlier with car shows at local spots.

“Everybody has been working pretty hard on this cruise,” said Diane Reece-Seger, treasurer of the cruise committee, who co-owns Clovers Collision & Mechanical Repair with husband Mike Seger. “It’s our silver anniversary.”

When the cruise began in 1999, the idea behind it was to organize an annual car cruise that was family friendly and also highlighted local businesses. It also has served as a format to raise money for various charities in the city.

The cruise route is between Eight Mile and 10 Mile roads. Over the years, cruise organizers have been able to get the Michigan Department of Transportation to designate a special “cruise lane” closest to the median.

This year, car buffs can begin revving their engines at the Villa Restaurant car show from 4 to 8 p.m. June 12. The car show is sponsored by WOW Electronics and Villa Restaurant. The restaurant is located at 21311 Gratiot Ave. Dash plaques will be given to the first 75 drivers, and prizes will be given at 7 p.m.

On the following evening, June 13, the car camaraderie will continue with another car show, this time at First State Bank, 16100 E. Nine Mile Road at Gratiot. The time: 4-8 p.m. Dash plaques will be given to the first 75 drivers, and prizes will be given at 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited back to the avenue June 14 for the Cloverleaf car show from 4 to 8 p.m. Cloverleaf is located at 24443 Gratiot Ave. The car show is sponsored by Motor City Pawn Brokers. Dash plaques will be given to the first 75 drivers, and prizes will be given at 7 p.m.

Cruise Day will be June 15 at Eastpointe High School, 15501 Couzens Ave., at Gratiot Avenue just south of Nine Mile Road. There will be a car show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., sponsored by Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick.

A prayer service will begin at 11 a.m. The VIP parade will begin at 1 p.m. as local and state dignitaries ride the cruise route in convertibles. The VIP procession takes about 30 minutes, and at 1:30 p.m. the official cruise lane will open. The dedicated cruise lane will officially close at 7 p.m.

Get ready for some live music at 2 p.m. at the high school with a performance by the ShamRock Jazz Orchestra. The SJO is composed mostly of East Detroit High School alumni. The SJO members are from different graduating classes, the oldest member from the Class of 1957. The talented musicians put their own spin on songs from the ’50s through the ’80s.

On cruise day, be on the lookout for Dominic Miller. The 14-year-old Eastpointe resident will be collecting pajamas for his charity, Dominic’s Christmas Wish. Miller will have a collection basket set up where new pajamas can be dropped off for children in need. All sizes, birth through adult, are accepted.

A familiar voice to rock ‘n’ roll fans will emerge during the festivities, because retired local radio disc jockey Jim JJ Johnson is this year’s grand marshal. He will be in the VIP parade June 15 and also is scheduled to make appearances at the car shows.

“He’ll be there all four days,” said Eastpointe City Council member Harvey Curley, president of the Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot Committee. “People want to hear his voice. They want to say ‘hi’ to him.”

Curley was at the very first cruise back in 1999.

“We’ve improved it year after year. The volunteers have been involved. People in the community want to help. They want to participate,” Curley said. “We’ve always done this to bring people into Eastpointe. It helps businesses.”

Reece-Seger became involved as a cruise volunteer in 2016.

“I enjoy seeing the people and I enjoy the classic cars,” Reece-Seger said.

For information on Cruise packages and lane passes, visit the website cruisin-gratiot.com or send an email to: DReece@cloverscollision.net. Volunteers are always needed for future cruises. Visit the website for more information.