Hundreds of cars expected at Berkley CruiseFest

BERKLEY — Hundreds of vehicles will be hitting the road in Berkley in honor of the return of the city’s car parade.

The 27th annual Berkley CruiseFest Classic Car Parade will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, on 12 Mile Road from Woodward Avenue to Greenfield Road.

The city is expecting more than 300 vehicles to participate in the parade. In addition, the event will feature live music, all-ages gaming stations and a showing of the movie “Ghostbusters” at 7:30 p.m. in front of The Neighbor’s Shoppe, 2833 12 Mile Road.

Berkley Parks and Recreation Director Theresa McArleton said it’s always great seeing people come out for CruiseFest, whether they’re diehard car enthusiasts or casual fans who attend each year. It all results in a lot of energy, she said.

“You can feel it the whole night,” McArleton said.

Guy Copland, of Berkley, has been in every CruiseFest since its inception. This year, he’ll be driving his 1982 Chrysler LeBaron convertible that he’s owned for about a decade.

“It’s something I do with my grandchildren,” he said. “They are now 10 and 7, and it’s something that we’ve been doing the last five years. It’s a tradition. It’s something that we do and we have a lot of fun with it.”

Copland previously owned a 1984 LeBaron in the mid 1990s that he used in the early Berkley parades. He found his current car in Grand Rapids and took a bus for three hours in order to drive it home.

“It’s got a real classic look to it, and it’s a real smooth ride. It’s a luxury car in a compact vehicle. It’s great,” he said.

Of her favorite aspects of the event, McArleton said she loves getting to see all the interesting colors of cars that take part in the parade.

“Like the corals and the turquoise and the teal. Love the convertible. Those are always really fun and I feel like the bright colors always stand out to people,” she said.

For more information on CruiseFest, visit berkleymich.org/departments/parks_and_recreation/cruisefest.php.