Dancing in the streets, listening to live music, sampling local foods and talking to community members is a great way to kick off the summer season. Organizers of Associated Businesses of Bridgeport’s Summer Kickoff agree wholeheartedly, but they have thought of an ideal addition.

 

The very first Classic Car Cruise-In will take place 5-8 p.m. June 1 in conjunction with ABB’s Summer Kickoff and Food Truck Festival.

 

“When I think of summertime, I think of cool cars. When we were in high school, we would cruise around town in our cars and this event will have that kind of vibe to it,” said the ABB’s Doug Marquette, who is heading up the cruise in. “It should bring more people downtown, giving them something else to do as part of the kickoff. They can walk around town and look at all the cool cars.”

 

Anyone with a classic, collector vehicle – or a car they are just proud of – can just show up that day, Marquette said.

 

Main Street will close at 4 p.m. June 1 between Philadelphia Avenue/Third Street to Orchard Street/Benedum Civic Center. All car cruise-in participants must enter Main Street/Orchard Street by the railroad tracks and Benedum Civic Center.

 

“We’ll line the cars up from Bridgeport Fire Department – on each side of Main Street – pointed in at an angle, clear up to the railroad tracks,” Marquette said. “We can probably fit about 100 vehicles, but this being the first year, if we get 50 to 75 vehicles, I’ll consider that a success.”

 

Providing live music will be the local 80s tribute band, “80’s Enough.” REO Speedwagon’s “Keep on Loving You,” The Knack’s “My Sharona” and Loverboy’s “Workin’ for the Weekend” will be among many classic pop tunes included on the playlist.

 

“Winter is over. Let’s get together, have fun, dance in the street, eat some good food and have a good time together,” Marquette said. “That’s what summer kickoff is all about.”

 

Last year’s inaugural summer kickoff brought more than 1,000 individuals onto the Main Street corridor.

 

Read more about the kickoff event planned for June 1 HERE.