2009 Crusin' Michigan Avenue

[Joe]

When: July 11, 2009
Where: Along Michigan Avenue

http://www.cruisinmichigan.com or call Don Nicholson at 734-658-5296

The Michigan Avenue Cruise of July 12, 2008 may have been the first multi-city cruise along Michigan Avenue, but it was not the first auto event for Don Nicholson. Don originally got involved with cars racing at Detroit Dragway and Milan Dragway back in the middle 1980's.

Don began his involvement with the track car shows and doing event photography for Milan Dragway in the early 1990's. After gaining experience at Milan doing car shows he started the Burger Car show in Garden City, which is now known as "Autos For Autism."

In 2001 Don began the Don Nicholson Charity Car Shows. The first show was held at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn. The main show each year is now held at the Western Wayne Skill Center in Westland on the last Monday in June. This school teaches life skills and job training for special needs young adults.

The Don Nicholson Charity Car show grew to two events in 2007. The second show of the season was a charity show to help raise money to restore and rebuild the Historic Wayne Theatre. Unfortunately this show suffered a rain-out.

In August 2007 Don came up with the idea for the Michigan Avenue Cruise. As usual, Don looked at ways to use the event to help non-profit groups. Event planning was incorporated with the help of the local cities and chambers of commerce

 

[Joe]

Hot Spots on the Cruise

* Dearborn Animal Shelter, Adopt a Pet & Car
Show Also the S.E. Michigan Car Club @ Fairlane Ford.
* Car Show and display @ Demmer Lincoln Mercury
* S.E. Michigan Mustang Car Club display and
Show @ Village Ford.
* Bikini Car Wash , Live Music by L.C. Wild, and a
beer tent @ Harley’s Dearborn Deli
* Hot Dog specials at Allstate Insurance
24234 Michigan Ave.
* The Michigan Vet Fest @ Dearborn Elks Lodge
* Breast Cancer Three Day fundraiser @ Roni Deutch
* Emergency Response Vehicle Show @ The Dearborn
Heights Hall of Justice.
* Fun stop,The Station is always a great bunch of
people, check them out the day of the cruise as
anything can happen.
* The Inkster Jazz Festival, Two days of great Jazz
on Inkster road just north of Michigan Ave.
* The “Official Cruisin’ Michigan Band” The Six Foot
Poles, Live at the Red Apple. Watch the Cruise
from inside the Red Apple or under the tent and
listen to some great classic rock.
* 50 cent Coney’s at Brownies Diner.
* Happy’s Pizza specials and Wayne info at the
Wayne Chamber of Commerce.
* Official Cruisin’ Michigan T-shirts, Polos and Hats
sold by the Wayne Rotary in front of Leo’s Jewlers.
* CrossPointe Community Church Praise Band and
Micro business groups at the CLS offices. (North
east side of Metro Mall.)
* Car Show and display at Demmer Ford

 

[Joe]

Cruise Construction. As we all know roads need to be repaired and there is always the Yellow Barrel Season in Michigan. This year it is partially on the Cruise. MDOT will be paving with Hot Asphalt on Michigan Ave. Between Brady and Howard Street in West Dearborn. That area is down to one lane in each direction already. So be prepared for congestion and enter at your own risk.

I did drive it Yesterday with my scooter and the road was not a problem unless you are a low rider or have a low clearance car.

The bridge just west of Southfield is also under construction and that area is down to two lanes in each direction.

If your concerned I recommend that you take a cruise on down with your daily driver before hand or turn around at Garrison St.

One more sponsor that I missed is the AmVet Post 171 (Westland) and Giesken Outdoor Advertising.

Tickets are still available for the Charity Kick Off this Friday.

Free Goody Buckets to the first 50 Cruises to stop by Polks Auto on East Michigan just before Merriman.

Also free Goody Bags to the first 100 Cruisers going by the Wayne Chamber of Commerce.