SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
MORE THAN JUST A CRUISE,
IT'S SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
ORGANIZERS
Welcome to the North Gratiot Cruise—an annual celebration that’s much more than just a cruise! On Saturday, September 28, 2024, join us for a day packed with thrilling activities, exciting car shows, and family fun. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a fitness fanatic, or someone who loves great food and live music, this event offers something for everyone. From muscle cars to customs, food trucks to craft fairs, and even a 5K run, the North Gratiot Cruise transforms Gratiot Avenue into the heart of Macomb County’s most vibrant event.
With over a decade of history, the Gratiot Avenue Chamber of Commerce has raised $100,000 for community groups through this event, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. Visitors can look forward to live music from Spooky Sterling, a charity cornhole tournament, and plenty of activities for kids—including inflatables and a chance to meet local heroes like police K9 units. Stay tuned for a full itinerary of the day’s events, and make sure to bring the whole family to enjoy all that the North Gratiot Cruise has to offer!
OFFICIAL EVENT MAP
ITINERARY
Click on an attraction from the itinerary below to get full information!
CRUISE HEADQUARTERS
50400 Gratiot Ave,
New Baltimore, MI 48051
Parking Lot of
Value City Furniture/Kohl's
Switch the map to Satellite view to see the lot for yourself.
And drag the yellow icon onto the map to get a street view!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
2024 SPONSORS
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CORPORATE SPONSORS
Car Show Check-In
8:00am - 10:00am
Map: Purple Zone
Need to Know:
💵 Registration: $30
📋 Check-in at Cruise HQ
⏰ Time: Begins at 8:00 AM -- open until 10:00am
🇺🇸 National Anthem: 10:30am
The Details:
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Early registration is encouraged, but same-day registration is available
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Location: Cruise HQ, 50400 Gratiot Ave, New Baltimore, MI (Value City Furniture/Kohl’s parking lot)
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Check-in opens at 8:00 AM
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Participants receive a car display number at check-in
Chesterfield 5K
9:00am
Map: Maroon Zone
Warm-Up
8:30am
Need to Know:
🏃USTAF-Certified Course
💵 Registration: $30 (Adults), $10 (Students/Seniors)
👟 Check-In: 8:00 AM
🏅 All participants receive a t-shirt, medal, water, and snacks
The Details:
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Cash prizes:
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1st Place Male/Female: $500
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2nd Place Male/Female: $250
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3rd Place Male/Female: $100
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Additional 1K Fun Run/Walk (Free!)
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Bib pick-up available Friday, September 22, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Cruise HQ
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Same-day registration available at Cruise HQ starting at 8:00 AM
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Hanson’s gift cards for age category winners
Tailgate Zone
9:00am
Map: Blue Zone
Sponsored by
Need to Know:
⏰ Time: Opens at 9:00 PM, Games begin at 12:00 PM
📺 Giant Screen
🏈 Live College Football
🍕 Located by Food Trucks, Live Music and Kids Zone
The Details:
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Enjoy live football games on a huge screen brought in on a loading truck
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Perfect spot to relax, grab food, and catch all the game-day action while still soaking in the cruise atmosphere
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Games scheduled for the day include:
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Mississippi State @ Texas
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Ohio State @ Michigan State
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Oregon @ UCLA
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Illinois @ Penn State
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Wisconsin @ USC
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Oklahoma State @ Kansas State
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Oklahoma @ Auburn
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Minnesota @ Michigan
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Georgia @ Alabama
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Louisville @ Notre Dame
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Craft Fair
11:00am - 4:00pm
Map: Green Zone
Need to Know:
🎨 40+ Artisans
⏰ One Day Only
📿 Featuring one-of-a-kind, high-quality handcrafted items
The Details:
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Vendors registered with the city of Chesterfield
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The fair will run throughout the day alongside the North Gratiot Cruise activities
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Perfect for finding unique gifts, home décor, jewelry, and more
Attention Vendors!
Set up opens at 8 AM, and must be completed in full by 11:00 AM
Car Parade
11:00am
Map: Blue Zone
Need to Know:
⏰ Start Time: 11:00 AM
➡️ One-Way Parade
🚗 Open to All Vehicles
The Details:
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Cars will be lined up in area indicated on the map before the commencement of the parade
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Route runs along Gratiot Avenue, between Hal Road and 23 Mile Road
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Left lane: turn left on 23 Mile Rd., then left on Chesterfield to return to Gratiot
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Right lane: turn right on 23 Mile Rd., then right on Waterside Dr. to Cotton Dr. and back to Gratiot
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Participants can continue cruising after the parade or return to Cruise HQ
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Spectators are welcome along the entire route for prime viewing
Spooky Sterling
11:00 am- 4:00pm
Map: Blue Zone
Need to Know:
Rock out with one of Metro Detroit’s premier rock and alternative cover bands, Spooky Sterling! Known for their high-energy performances and dynamic setlists, they’ll be taking the stage from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM to keep the vibe electric throughout the day. Expect to hear a mix of classic rock, alternative hits, and fan-favorite tunes that will have the whole crowd singing along.
Cornhole Tournament
12:00pm
Map: Purple Zone
Organized by
Need to Know:
⏰ Time: Begins at 12:00 PM but continues through afternoon
🍺 Located in the Bagger Dave’s parking lot
💵 Entry Fee: $20 per player
💰 Cash Prizes: Minimum of $500 with a growing pot
The Details:
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Organized by Big Shots Cornhole
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Open to players of all skill levels
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Participants must register via the Scoreholio app (QR code link provided
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Scoreholio is an easy-to-use app for tracking scores and tournament progress in real-time
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Players can use the app to register, view brackets, and follow match updates on their phones
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Competitive but fun environment for everyone involved
Food Trucks
All Day
Map: Blue Zone
Need to Know:
Wares the Smoke – Indulge in mouth-watering BBQ classics like ribs, pulled pork, and smoked brisket.
Pops Eats in the Streets – Serving up gourmet burgers, fries, and comfort food favorites.
Cornhub – Specializing in flavorful, street-style corn with a variety of unique toppings.
Kid Zone
All Day
Map: Blue Zone
Need to Know:
🪽 Bounce House & Inflatables
🚒 Fire Truck Experience
🐶 Meet Police K9 Dogs
The Details:
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Fun for kids of all ages, located at Cruise HQ
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Safe, family-friendly space for kids to enjoy while parents take part in the rest of the North Gratiot Cruise activities
Car Show Awards
4:00pm
Map: Blue Zone
Need to Know:
🎤 Awards take place on concert stage
👨⚖️ Judging of Cars: 1:00 PM - 3:00PM
🏆 Best in Show: $1,000
🛞 Stock & Modified Classes
The Details:
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Cash prizes awarded for the top 3 in each class (Stock & Modified):
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1st Place: $300
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2nd Place: $200
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3rd Place: $100
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Best Overall in Show receives a $1,000 cash prize
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Trophies/ribbons accompany the cash prizes
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Judging categories: Body, Engine, Interior, Paint, and Wheels
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Judging performed by a panel of impartial experts
Vendor Tables
All Day
Map: Purple Zone
The Details:
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Local Businesses Showcasing Products and Services
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A variety of local vendors will be present, offering a glimpse of their products and services to attendees.
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Interactive Displays
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Visitors can enjoy hands-on experiences with interactive displays, adding an engaging element to the event.
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Exclusive Event Discounts
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Many vendors will offer special discounts and promotions available only during the cruise.
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Support for the Community
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By attending, you’ll support local businesses and foster connections within the community.
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