River Park Cruisers ready to roll at show, cruise, dance
The lead car for this Saturday's cruise is a black 1990 Pontiac Trans Am owned by James and Michelle Fassbinder of Guttenberg. (Photo submitted)
By Shelia Tomkins
Hundreds of classic cars will converge on downtown Guttenberg this Saturday morning, Sept. 15, for the start of the 21st annual River Park Cruisers car show, cruise and dance.
The popular event is the culmination of months of planning by the Cruisers. The day begins early as volunteers close downtown streets in time for car registration that runs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The first 200 cars to register will receive a dash plaque.
The public is invited to stroll past four blocks of beautiful restored vehicles from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m.
Participants will also be busy judging the entries. Winners will be announced and trophies handed out at approximately 2:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center in the 300 block of South River Park Drive.
There will be 72 trophies awarded that day, including three trophies in each of 22 classes, ranging from street rods to convertibles, stock cars, modified cars, pick-ups, imports and more. In addition, there will be five trophies per class awarded as follows, with the following sponsors: Best Ford, Brown's Sales; Best GM, Guttenberg Industries; Best Mopar, Fidelity Bank & Trust; Mayor's Choice, Stadium Bar & Grill, and Best of Show, Autotek Service Center.
Car cruise route
The cruise will leave Guttenberg at approximately 3:30 p.m. after the trophy awards presentation. The route is designed to showcase the scenic hills of Clayton County. The Cruisers invite the public to sit along the route to view hundreds of vintage and classic vehicles as they pass by.
The cruise will head out of Guttenberg on Schiller Street and turn south on Highway 52. Due to construction work on the Garber Road bridge over Miner's Creek, cars will travel south and turn right on Jolly Ridge Road and then turn right on Osterdock Road until its intersection with C7X (Garber Road). The next turn will be a right onto Ironwood (X41) and left onto Highway 128 to Clayton Center.
The cruise next turns right onto Highway 13 and then left on 182nd Street (B60) to Farmersburg. Then the route is north on Golden Ave., left onto Hwys. 18 and 52 and on to Monona, taking a right on Falcon Ave. (X26) and a right on Chestnut to the Monona city park.
At 5:30 p.m. the cruisers will leave Monona, heading east on B-45 Pleasant Ridge Road, and after a 20-minute drive cars will turn left on Edger Street to Marquette. After travelling through Marquette and McGregor, the cruise will take X56 to Guttenberg.
"Please follow the cruise signs or directions — not the person in front of you!' organizers remind cruisers.
Dance
The day will conclude with a dance at historic Lakeside Ballrooom in Guttenberg featuring the music of Backwater, playing classic favorites from the golden era of rock and roll. Tickets will be available at the door.
About the Cruisers
he River Park Cruisers was established in 1992 and has grown through the years to more than 70 couples. The club has sponsored its own car show and cruise since 1997. Funds from the annual event are used for projects and grants that benefit the local community.
Current officers and directors are: David and Sheryl Bahls, chairpersons; Don and Jeanne Niosi, vice-chairpersons; Stan Blair and Karen Kulper, secretary; Chuck and Marsha Brainhard, treasurer; directors James and Michelle Fassbinder, Jeff and Sue Meyer, and Mike and Joan Steffen.
Those with questions about this year's event can contact Dave and Sheryl Bahls, (563) 252-1336.
