The Ford Mustang turns 60 this year and is featured on the Harper Charity Cruise T-shirts.

Photo provided by Amy O’Brien-Kravitz

ST. CLAIR SHORES — Businesses and charities look forward to having a great time at the Harper Charity Cruise while supporting a good cause.

The Harper Charity Cruise will take place on Wednesday, August 28, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Rosanne Minne, a member of the Shorewood Kiwanis and director of the Harper Charity Cruise, said this year a Ford Mustang is featured on the logo because the car is celebrating its 60th birthday.

“We hope to sell a lot of T-shirts this year, just like last year,” said Minne. “Just through advertising on Facebook and online and things like that, there was so much interest.”

T-shirts are available at the Village Market and from various Shorewood Kiwanis affiliates.

Minne said the Shorewood Kiwanis took over the cruise in 2008 and that it had been an event at the Shores long before that. Amy O’Brien-Kravitz, sales manager for Roy O’Brien Ford, said the cruise is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The cruise runs along Harper Avenue, from about a half-mile north of Eight Mile Road to 12 Mile Road. O’Brien-Kravitz said this longer route was officially introduced two years ago, although she believes this length has been unofficially in place for some time.

“It just feels like it’s growing every year,” O’Brien-Kravitz said. “The participation is better, the number of drivers and cars that want to participate is constantly increasing. In its 30th year, it just gets stronger and better every year.”

“We have a lot of people trying to get sponsors,” Minne added. “And we have a lot of sponsors because our T-shirt is just full. So we’re blessed to have that.”

Minne also said that event attendees enjoy the cruise, and she called it the biggest event in St. Clair Shores. The Shorewood Kiwanis has announced their sponsors on their Shorewood Kiwanis Club of MI Facebook page. Some of the sponsors include Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy, the Warren Kiwanis Club, Miller Marina, and Michael Agnello Jewelers.

Proceeds from the cruise will benefit Shorewood Kiwanis service projects, including the Christmas drive in August.

“We treat eligible children so they can get school uniforms,” ​​Minne said. “We take them to Meijer and buy them school uniforms.”

Minne went on to say that they treated around 60 children last year. She is happy to see the smiles on the children’s faces.

“That’s the best thing about this club, this organization. That’s why I was interested in it, because it’s about children,” said Minne. “It’s a good thing.”

O’Brien-Kravitz said the company will host a display and public party in the Kroger parking lot in Harper. This year there will be activities for children, and in past years there have been food trucks and bands.

“All kinds of things for families and kids to enjoy,” O’Brien-Kravitz said. “That’s what you’ll find as you walk up and down the street. With all the businesses in front of Harper, most of them will have a fun activity going on in front of them.”

Roy O’Brien Ford will also have an exhibition of Mustangs from various years of the automobile’s 60-year history.

“It will look like a timeline, from the earliest to the most recent,” O’Brien-Kravitz said. “So Mustang fans shouldn’t miss our exhibit, because it will be worth seeing.”

Minne has received numerous calls from business owners who are excited about the cruise.

Event attendees should remember not to go out on the streets and take basic safety precautions.

She said that although the cruise runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can see cars on Harper Street all day long.

“It’s a great family event and we hope everyone comes and has fun, and hope for good weather,” said Minne. “Good weather is always important.”