Cruisin' Gratiot Preview
14th Annual Cruisn' Gratiot Car Cruise
24405 Gratiot Ave.
Eastpoint, MI 48021
(586) 552-1366
www.cruisin-gratiot.com
Dates: June 11 to June 16
Click here for events schedule
Once again Gratiot Avenue between 8 and 10 Mile roads will rumble with the sound of muscle cars and classic rides June 11 to June 16 at the 14th Annual Cruisin' Gratiot Car Cruise in Eastpoint. In addition to car shows all along Gratiot during the week leading up to the big event, a karaoke Idol contest promises extra fun for everyone. Money raised during Cruisin' Gratiot helps support local charities, last year adding up to more than $15,000.
Karaoke Idol Contest Semi Finals
Eastpointe Manor
24611 Gratiot Ave.
Eastpoint, MI
www.cruisin-gratiot.com
Click here for dates, hours and qualifying rounds information
For the past eight weeks, contestants have been singing and dancing their hearts out as part of the Karaoke Idol contest. During cruise week, the semi final rounds will narrow this competition down to the best youth, teen and adult performers. Tickets to the semi-final youth/teens round are $8 and are available at the door, while the semi-final rounds for adults are free of charge. All profits from the contest are donated to charities.
First Cruise of the Day
Gratiot Avenue between 8 and 10 Mile roads
(586) 552-1366
www.cruisin-gratiot.com
Date: June 16 – 8 a.m.
Price: $15 preregistration/$20 day of
The 8 a.m. cruise along Gratiot kicks off the final day of classic cars. Cruisin' Gratiot is unique in that the far left lane on Gratiot is established for the cruisers and only those who purchase a pass are allowed to be in the cruising lane. Purchase cruising lane passes and register at the Cruisin' Gratiot office. Lane stickers are required for cruisers and are only for those with special interest, modified or classic cars.
Related: Best Scenic Drives in Detroit
Cruisn' Gratiot Car Show
East Detroit High School
15501 Couzens
Eastpoint, MI
www.cruisin-gratiot.com
Date: June 16 – 9 a.m.
Take a walk though memory lane as hundreds of classic and muscle cars converge at East Detroit High School for the largest car show of the weekend. Cars will be judged and awarded by category during this event. Rockin' Ronnie will have everyone swinging to some oldies at the intersection of Gratiot Avenue and 9 Mile Road
VIP Cruisin' Gratiot Parade
Gratiot Avenue between 8 Mile and 10 Mile roads
www.cruisin-gratiot.com
Date: June 16 – 1 p.m.
You can't have a cruise without showing off the very best in both cars and personalities from the area. At 1 p.m. the VIP cruise will head down Gratiot with special guests and special cars. Expect to see a mix of muscle cars, classic roadsters and just about every sort of specialty car around. Bring a lawn chair to sit and enjoy the parade.
Karaoke Idol Finals
Cloverleaf Restaurant
24443 Gratiot Ave.
Eastpoint, MI 48021
www.cruisin-gratiot.com
Date: June 16
Hours: noon to 3 p.m. youth and teen finals; 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. adult finals
After weeks of competition, semi-finalists from across the city will take part in the finals of the karaoke Idol contest. First place winners in the youth division will receive $150, with second place taking home $75. For the teen division, first place will pocket $250 and the second place $100. In the adult finals, winners will be named from each of five categories: rock/alternative, country, pop/dance, duets, R&B/hip hop. First place winners will take home $500, second place will receive $250 and third place winners, $100.
Related: Best Karaoke Bars in Detroit
Dining
Cloverleaf Bar and Restaurant
24443 Gratriot Ave
Eastpointe, MI 48021
(586) 777-5391
www.cloverleafrestaurant.com
The Cloverleaf eatery is known for its deep dish pizza, which the founders of the restaurant first introduced to Detroit in 1946. The pizza is routinely voted best in Detroit and, along with a wide range of Italian favorites and traditional American cuisine, the restaurant itself offers something for everyone to enjoy. Dinner prices begin at $7.95 and top out around $15.
Villa Restaurant & Pizzeria
21311 Gratiot Ave.
Eastpointe, MI 48021
(586) 778-1780
If you ask around Eastpoint for a good place to grab a meal, Villa is at the top of the list. Meals are very reasonably priced with dinners costing between $9.99 and $14.99. Villa, a traditional Italian restaurant, offers classic Italian dishes from veal to steaming plates of pasta. It also boasts a decent mix of American favorites for good measure.
Lodging
Georgian Inn
31327 Gratiot Ave.
Roseville, MI 48066
(586) 294-0400
www.bestwestern.com
For a place to stay just down Gratiot from the cruise the Georgian Inn promises cozy perfection. Rooms range in price from $79 to $109 and offer all the amenities of much larger hotels. It boasts a heated pool, full breakfast buffet for guests, high speed Internet and plenty of space to park those classic cars and trailers during the cruise.
Shore Pointe Motor Lodge
20000 E. 9 Mile Rd.
St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
(586) 773-3700
If you are looking for a place to rest your head between hitting the cruise and the karaoke Idol finals, check out the Shore Pointe Motel Lodge in St. Clair Shores. It is only a few miles from were all the action is taking place and, at $65 a night, it will not break the bank. This is a small, privately owned motel that offers all you need to get a good night's rest.
Award winning freelance writer and photographer Lawrence DiVizio is based in Southeast Michigan and works to convey in words and images the world around us. His work can be found at Examiner.com.