The traffic was heavy along Gratiot on Saturday, but people were throwing themselves into it deliberately. The Gratiot Cruise saw an impressive array of vintage cars, classic hot-rods and generally bad-ass looking vehicles, umm, cruising as onlookers downed a few pints in the glorious sun, barbeque sauce dripping off their chins.
In Eastepointe, Boney’s Niteclub took full advantage of the event by erecting an outdoor stage, grilling some hot-dogs and really creating a festival atmosphere. Among others, youthful classic rockers No Quarter shook the stage, as did Cheap Trick-esque power-poppers the Romeo Flynns. The latter has developed into a stunningly tight live unit, with some of the best melodic rock tunes in town.
The organizers couldn’t have asked for better weather, and people lined the street on both sides (as well as the grass divider in between) taking in the sights. Nobody, incidentally, seemed the least bit impressed by my Kia Sportage.
The Cruise is really all about the cars, but since the ‘50s, rockers like Chuck Berry have known that hot-rods and rock ’n’ roll go together like peanut butter and jelly. If you missed this event, the Woodward Dream Cruise is August 20th.
For more information on the Gratiot Cruise, click here.
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