By Mary Owen
Attention car lovers!
Some of the area’s hottest vehicles will be on display Sept. 20 at the ’50s Cruz-In at the Lake in downtown Detroit Lake.
“This is a very positive event for the city of Detroit,” Mayor Pat Carty said. “It brings people together from the east side of the mountains to the Willamette Valley. And we always have a very good mix of new and different cars that have never been on display before.”
Carty called the Cruz-In a great way to wind-up the summer. For those who want to stay longer to explore some of Detroit Lake’s other amenities, he suggested Cruz-In Camping at Detroit Lake State Park. Call 503-854-3406 for reservations.
“We’re looking for a big crowd,” he said. “The Cruz-In is the last major event we have planned this year to coincide with the time a lot of people are here winding things up for the summer.”
Presented by Detroit Lake Recreation Area Business Association, the Cruz-In drew about 70 vehicles last year, a number the group hopes to top this year, said spokesman Dave Shelton.
“One of the things people tell us year after year is what a beautiful setting we have – the mountains, the lake,” he said. “And the number of cars isn’t huge. It’s a little more low-key than most car shows.”
The family-friendly show has something for everyone, including food and gift booths and music played throughout the day by Shake Down, a retro band from Salem, Shelton added.
“Everyone has a chance to win something – even the kids,” he said. “They love the Hula Hoop contest. And we raffle off prizes – some kid-appropriate — all day long.”
The popular car show begins with line up and registration along the main street at 9 a.m., followed by judging at 1 p.m. and an awards presentation at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Downtown Detroit
$10 entry fee for vehicles,
free for viewers. 503-804-3613
or www.detroitlakeoregon.org.
The grand finalé will be a parade in town following the awards, which includes a special jacket for the winner of Best in Show, picked by the entrants themselves. The $10 entry fee includes a special dashboard plaque.
All vintages are welcome, and with nine classes, there is room for every type of vehicle. The categories are: custom, original, convertible, best interior, custom pick-up, original pick-up, street rod, muscle car and, of course, Best in Show.
Motorcycles have three categories: custom, stock and Best in Show.
“First, second and third are awarded in each category,” Shelton said. “And there is a Judge’s Choice that is chosen by the different business sponsors.”
Major sponsors for this year’s event are: Les Schwab Tires, Santiam Homes and Santiam Towing & Recovery.
“We close the main street in town for this event,” Carty said. “We’ve been lucky with good weather, and we’re expecting a late summer here. And it’s the last event of the season, so we hope people will drop in and have some fun.”
