Car cruise in Lowellville starts Monday

By jeanne starmack

starmack@vindy.com

lowellville

If you love old cars, dancing in the streets and water-balloon contests, you’re in luck.

Cruisin’ the River starts Monday in Lowellville. The annual summer car cruise will continue every Monday until the second week in October.

The fun starts about 6 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m., said organizer Al Smith, a member of the Lowellville Business Association. The association sponsors the event.

“There’s people who pull in at 3 p.m. but it doesn’t start until 6,” said Smith.

Water Street along the Mahoning River is shut down at 4 p.m., and a D.J. starts at 6. A $2 optional registration fee pays for the D.J. Admission is free.

A raffle ticket is drawn every 15 minutes, Smith said, and ticket holders can win items such as dinner at a local restaurant.

“Then, their tickets go back in for a big item at the end of the night,” Smith said. At 8:45 p.m., there’s a 50-50 drawing before the night wraps up.

For classic-car enthusiasts, there will be plenty to see at the cruises. But the event offers entertainment for families, Smith said.

Kids can pelt away to their hearts’ content in the water-balloon contest.

Dancing in the streets starts at 8 p.m., and food specials at local restaurants are not to be missed.

The event is a great tool for driving business to the village, but it raises money for the community as well, Smith said.

“Last year, we gave away four $500 scholarships to high-school kids and $1,000 to the band,” he said. “The money all stays in the community.”

For more information, go to www.lowellvillecarcruise.com.