In August of 1979, the Smokey Robinson single “Cruisin” was released and became a number-one hit on the U.S. Cash Box charts. Venture forward to 2024, and the very song that echoed from cars then could be heard coming from the same speakers all along the Eastside as the Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot celebrated its 25th anniversary and brought forth the start of summer for many. This silver anniversary Grand Marshall was a special one as retired local radio legend Jim Johnson started the festivities with the official opening of the designated cruise lane.
If one radio legend wasn’t enough, Eastside extraordinaire himself, Screamin’ Scott of 94.7 WCSX, was on hand to take part in all the festivities and burn some rubber of his own (on his shoes, that is) to check out all the rocking rides the Motor City has manufactured.
Whether it was your first time on the cruise or your 25th, the event was packed with plenty of history on the road and off. The WCSX street team was also on-site with Screamin’ Scott to hear about the event’s rich history and just what it takes to put together this cruise.
According to the Eastpointe Cruisin Gratiot website, their story began with just a simple question:
How did the Cruise Start?
The simple question posed in 1998 by then-Cloverleaf General Manager Carol Corrie to Eastpointe Police Safety Officer Tom Ostrowski went something like this:
“What would be the possibility of a Classic Car Cruise on Gratiot?”
Officer Ostrowski was polite but not encouraging. Others responded with, ‘it will never fly’ or ‘what, are you nuts?’ But Carol persevered, and here’s what happened later that year and in 1999:
- Carol Corrie was invited to join the Eastpointe Roseville Chamber of Commerce and then shared the idea of the Cruise.
- Carol partners with Jim Winn, a business owner, Eastpointe resident, and major car enthusiast
- The first Cruise was set for June 20, 1999, setting up the precedent of holding the event at the same time every year, the Saturday before Father’s Day.
- The Cruise gained the support of then-Mayor Harvey Curley (now the current Cruise President), Eastpointe City Council and City Department Heads, and Eastpointe Police and Fire Departments.
- ‘Doubting’ Thomas Ostrowski, then-Police Chief Tom Danbert, and then-Inspector Mike Lauretti are all instrumental in getting a dedicated Cruise lane through MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation). Lauretti later became Police Chief.
- The Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce became the umbrella organization creating the Cruise.
25 years later and a lot of learned experience, has made the Gratiot Cruise in Eastpointe the place to be every year on the Saturday before Father’s Day.
A special thanks to Sheila, Sharon, and Ken for all their hard work as volunteers and coordinators with putting on this cruise for us to enjoy. Also, a special shout out to super fans Richie and Dennis for rocking and rolling with 94.7 WCSX for the last 25 years and for the next 25 to come.
