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Eastpointe Gears Up For 'Cruisin' Gratiot' Event This Saturday

EASTPOINTE (WWJ) - As many as 200,000 people are expected to line Gratiot's curb and median with lawn chairs and blankets this Saturday for "Cruisin' Gratiot" — now in its 18th year in Eastpointe.

Created by the manager of the Cloverleaf Bar and Restaurant, the event is the neighborhood's answer to the popular Woodward Dream Cruise.

Owner Jack Guerra says it's a good time for the family, a good day for business, but also a good reminder for visitors that the inner suburb is a good place to be.

"Because a lot of people, once they move north of 20 Mile, they don't wanna come down here no more," Guerra said. "You know, they think, oh, that's way too far or they say there's always trouble. There's never trouble here, you know? It's a good area."

The event, set for June 18, takes place from 8 Mile Road to 10 Mile Road in Eastpointe.

Mechanic Dale Smith, the owner of K And D Auto on 10 Mile, works on classics the week leading up to the cruise, which he says attracts every kind of classic car you can think of; even ones you've never seen.

"A guy made a homemade t-bucket skull car that he keep here," he told WWJ Newsradio 950's Ron Dewey. "And he'll have it out on the cruise day. It's rare. It's made some magazine covers."

One Eastpointe resident urged gearheads and fun-seekers to arrive early if they want a shot at a good spot.

"This is nice. It's hectic, but the old muscle cars are where it's at," he said. "That's what Detroit's built on — the muscle cars. We're just trying to get them together."

[For more information about Crusin' Gratiot, visit this link].

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