Essex BIA Cruise In brings in a crowd

by Sylene Argent

Around 200 antique, classic, and vintage vehicles were parked along Talbot Street, between Victoria Avenue and Brien Avenue, on Friday evening as part of the first Essex Dream Cruise In.

The Essex Centre BIA partnered with the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) to present this event to the community, which not only offered local owners of unique cars a chance to show off their rides, but also an opportunity to bring in families to shop downtown or visit area restaurants.

Local country band, the Rio Michaels Trio, provided musical entertainment as visitors and car owners made their way through the line of the many unique cars parked onsite.

One of those classic car enthusiasts, who was proud to show off her pink 1964 Thunderbird, was Rosalie Markou of Windsor. She said she bought this stunning vehicle 26-years ago from another woman in Michigan.

Previously, she owned a 1964 Coupe. After selling that vehicle, she suggested to her husband, Paul, that if she was to obtain another classic car, she wanted a convertible.  

This automobile brings back sentimental memories for the couple as when they started going together, they drove a 1960 Thunderbird, which they later sold to obtained a family car when they had kids.

During the show, the CTMHV hosted a 50/50 fundraising raffle and sold tickets for its 2018 raffle car, a red 1965 Mercury Convertible. The lucky ticket will be drawn at the annual New Year’s Eve Party. Proceeds will support the Museum’s Children Education Program, which provides a hands-on history lesson to hundreds of area students each year.

The Rotary Interact Club also hosted a fundraising concession stand to raise money for its mandate of supporting local causes and Essex District High School’s sister facility in Maforeka, Africa.

In past years the Essex Centre BIA hosted the Classic Car Show, which took place after the Essex Fun Fest parade, but opted to try something different this year. After the Fun Fest parade, the Essex Centre BIA hosted the Rockin’ Sidewalk Sales, which was accompanied by live music from the Justin Latam Trio downtown, and made the car show its own event on a Friday evening instead.

With the Fall in Love with Our Local Street Party event scheduled to take place on Friday, September 21, the Essex Centre BIA is now able to offer three major events in downtown Essex Centre during the warmer months to encourage people from the community to visit and learn about the businesses and services available locally.