By Julie Snyder C & G Staff Writer ST. CLAIR SHORES — Thousands of people flocked to St. Clair Shores Aug. 27 to get a final taste of the car cruise season. The Shorewood Kiwanis Harper Charity Cruise was held on Harper between Eight Mile and Martin, and attracted every kind of car, from the classic Chevy Nova and the rare Delorean to the vintage Model T and the popular Plymouth Fury. There were also plenty of modern cars, trucks and motorcycles on display or cruising up and down the route, all in the name of charity. Lifelong St. Clair Shores resident Dave DenBaas began watching passing cars at 2 p.m. The cruise officially began at 5 p.m. He and his wife, Christine, brought along Dave’s 1995 Chevy Silverado SS350. “It’s kind of a hot rod,” said DenBaas, who rebuilds and restores cars and boats as a hobby. DenBaas, a former member of the St. Clair Shores Water Resources Board, said he was surprised by how early many people began cruising. “I think this is the best one (cruise), and I’ve been to all of them,” DenBaas said, adding that he and his wife rode in his pickup truck during the recent Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise. It took them two hours to travel two miles. “That was a little too busy for me.” But the Harper Cruise didn’t lack participation. By 7 p.m., the avenue was at a standstill as cruisers showed off their treasures. This provided plenty of entertainment for those who preferred to simply display their toys at the side of the road. Warren resident Ron Kaminski’s “prowler purple” 1928 Ford Street Rod stole the show in front of Shore Club near 10 Mile. Kaminski purchased the car off of eBay 3 1/2 years ago, and has been restoring it and tinkering with it ever since. “I went to Oklahoma and dragged it out of a farm field,” he said. “It had bullet holes in it.” Today, Kaminski’s Ford that is both vintage and exotic lacks a hood, allowing gawkers a perfect view of the 454, 400 horsepower engine. “I have rebuilt this as much as my wife will allow me to,” he said with a laugh. Kaminski, a retired Chrysler engineer who has restored numerous other classic cars, like a 1976 Corvette, a 1969 Corvette and a 1969 Chevelle SS, said he frequents just about every metro Detroit car cruise, but he always enjoys the Harper Cruise the best. “I dig it,” he said. “This is a nice group of people.” The Kiwanis Harper Charity Cruise raises funds for children’s charities and nonprofit organizations through donations. Among those benefiting from the car cruise are CARE of Macomb, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Tree of Hope Foundation, the St. Clair Shores Special Needs Program and Macomb Literacy Partners. Each organization volunteers during the event, collecting money from participants and selling highly sought-after Harper Cruise T-shirts. Last year’s cruise raised more than $68,000, $38,000 of which was given to charities. The remaining money goes toward the next year’s cruise and to pay for city services, like increased police presence to ensure a safe evening, which Roseville resident Scott Campbell was thankful for, as he wanted to keep his Stingray safe and sound. “I bought a 1974 Corvette because I graduated from high school in 1974,” said the former Stephenson High School student. “I brought this car back from the dead.” Campbell explains that the original paint job and the blue one-piece T-top make the car an original. The raspberry pearl shade is adorned with three shades of blue graphic striping on the side. The original GM spoke wheels, he said, are worth more than the car itself, and the exhaust pipes on the side of the vehicle make it different from other Corvettes of its time. The V-8 rebuilt engine purrs like a kitten — rare for a Stingray. Like just about every other Harper Cruise participant, Campbell is no stranger to cruising. He also attended both Gratiot cruises and the Dream Cruise. The Harper Charity Cruise has grown so much in popularity and participation that — though it will never reach the size of the Dream Cruise — it can be compared to any other metro Detroit event. Warren residents Richard and Brandy Ann Sakowski love cars and the Harper Cruise so much that they decided to get married there. The Rev. Jacqueline McKeeman of Eastpointe conducted the 10-minute nuptials outside Certified Motors, where one of the many large Harper Cruise parties was being held. Richard, a 38-year-old New York native, popped the question to Brandy Ann, 27, 1 1/2 years ago. The couple, who have two children, Natyealynn, 2, and Dutchen, 2 months, figured the crowded Harper Cruise would be the perfect place of them to exchange vows in front of many witnesses. “I have been working with cars and I love cars, so I thought this would be cool,” he said. “It was spontaneous,” Brandy Ann said. McKeeman, a part-time non-denominational reverend, said the Harper Charity Cruise wasn’t the strangest place she performed a ceremony. “I’ve done a lot of unique weddings,” she said. “I’ve married couples at a Piston’s game, at a rock concert, at a car show in Novi.” You can reach Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1039. |
