Businesses Gear Up For 4th Annual Jackson Road Cruise

Classic car lovers can 'rev' up their engines and head down to the fourth annual Jackson Road Cruise, a seven mile cruisin' event along Jackson Road in Scio Township on Saturday.

The all day cruise opens at 9 a.m. at Belmark Lanes, 3530 Jackson Road, and features car shows, contests, entertainment, and food vendors. Admission is free to the public.

"We should have an awesome turnout. We're hoping for upwards of 1,000 cars," cruise director Todd Bailey said.

The event is organized by the Scio Township Economic Development Corporation and Ann Arbor area businesses and is used as a marketing tool for the township's shop local initiative.

“We want to show off the businesses in Scio Township and give them the opportunity to show their wares,” Bailey said. "My whole goal is to have people hang out on Jackson Road all day eating at the restaurants, catching a movie, and enjoying everything our businesses can offer instead of just cruising down the road and going home."

Activities include beer demonstrations from Adventures in Homebrewing, wine tasting at DeAngelis Cantina del Vino, martial exhibits, a children's presentation by the Great Lakes Zoological Society, a parade, and live band performances throughout the day. Midnight Special will perform from 3-7 p.m., followed by George Bedard and the Kingpins from 7-9 p.m. at Belmark Lanes. Delirious Love will perform classic rock hits from the 1960s-70s at LaFontaine Buick GMC (500 Auto Mall Drive off Jackson Road) beginning at noon.

New this year is a Cruisin' Prize Drive. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. drivers can visit 12 checkpoints, where volunteers will hand out cards. Each card can be stamped or signed at a checkpoint and turned in by 4 p.m. at Belmark Lanes for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses.

Kirk Blohm, manager of Carlyle Grill, located at 3660 Jackson Road, said he is looking forward to the cruise.

"It brings in a lot of people from outside the area who are completely and totally enthralled with cars," he said. "It's a lot nicer than some of the other cruises, and we benefit from the increased foot traffic."

Blohm said the restaurant, which prides itself on a menu of lunch and dinner specials made from scratch, will offer barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, Chicago hot dogs, and barbecue smoked ribs throughout the day.

"We have the best American food in the area and a phenomenal happy hour," he said. "Everything is homemade and we try to use as much local ingredients as possible."

For more information about the event, visit www.jrcruise.org. On the day of the event, attendees can text the word "JRCRUISE" to 90210 to receive updates throughout the day and special deals from businesses on their cellular phone.