Photo by Ginny Kropf: Dave Green, organizer of Medina’s Friday night cruise-ins in the canal basin, stands next to his 1978 Buick Regal Landau. Cruise-ins will begin June 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
MEDINA – Those who own a vintage vehicle and those who enjoy looking at them will be happy to hear Friday night cruise-ins in the canal basin will return for the summer on June 3.
This will be the 25th year for the weekly summer event, said Dave Green of East Shelby, who has been involved since the very first one.
The cruise-ins were originally headed by Donna Mruczek and Donna Bushover, in addition to Green. The first ones took place at what was then Botsford and Hartway Motors, Green said. Then they moved to the canal basin, where they continued to grow every year.
Eventually, the end of each summer event was celebrated with a Super Cruise on Main Street with Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald. The evening closes Main Street from the four corners almost to Prospect Street and attracts as many as 300 antique vehicles.
Cruise-ins were canceled the last two years due to Covid, so Green is optimistic car collectors and the public will be eager to have them return.
Cars will begin arriving about 5 p.m. and average between 90 and 100 weekly.
“Cars come from a very long distance, including Wyoming County and Niagara Falls,” Green said.
Disc jockey Hank Nevins will provide music weekly. Super Cruise this year will feature the band Crash Cadillac from the Buffalo area.
Special features of cruise nights include a 50-50 drawing, with half going to United Way of Orleans County, which sponsors the event; Christmas in July when people are asked to bring new toys to be given to children at Christmas time; and the local Boy Scouts selling hot dogs and hamburgers.
Every week something different is featured, such as Truck Night, General Motors Night, Ford Night, Mustang Night and Corvette Night.
Green is not only the head of cruise nights, he is a collector himself. He has owned a variety of antique vehicles, which he trades whenever he sees something he likes.
“The thrill in collecting is changing them every so often,” he said.
His most recent trade was a 1980 Chevy pickup, which he traded for a 1973 Mercury Cougar convertible. The 1978 Buick Regal Landau he currently drives was traded for an El Camino from the 1980s.
Green added the cruise-ins wouldn’t be so successful without the support of downtown businesses, Medina Fire Department and DPW, who provide any services needed.
© 2022 Albion-Holley Pennysaver, Inc. dba OrleansHub.com
A proud member of LION Publishers – supporting local, independent online news"