Tag Archives: 28th Street Metro Cruise

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood weekend news you need to know

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“The fact is I don’t drive just to get from A to B. I enjoy feeling the car’s reactions, becoming a part of it. ”
 
                        ―  Enzo Ferrari, founder of Ferrari 
                           and an Italian motor racing driver

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Metro Cruise Dust-Off is Saturday, May 4

Time to Star Those Engines

It’s the first weekend in May which means the 6th annual Metro Cruise Dust-Off is finally here! The annual start to the summer car shows, the event takes place Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW. Contestants for the annual Miss Metro Cruise will be on hand as well. Those interested in participating in Miss Metro Cruise have until noon Saturday, May 4. For more information on the Dust-Off or the Miss Metro Cruise contest, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

City of Kentwood will have its Community Clean-Up Saturday, May 4. (WKTV)

Kentwood’s Time to Purge

Kentwood residents wanting to “spring clean” their homes and yards may bring general debris, gently used items for donation, household hazardous materials and electronic devices to the Kentwood Recycling Center, located at 5068 Breton Ave. SE. The hours are  8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Salvation Army will be on hand to accept gently used items for donations and the Kent County Department of Public Works will accept household hazardous waste items. Comprenew will also be present to recycle electronic waste, such as mobile telephones, computers and fax machines. For more information, visit kentwood.us.


Kentwood and Kelloggsville voters head to the polls on Tuesday.

Your Vote Counts

On Tuesday, May 7, both the Kentwood Public Schools and the Kelloggsville Public Schools will be seeking renewals for operating millages. Kentwood Public School voters are being asked to renew the current 10-year operating millage, an assessment of 18 mills on non-homestead properties. The millage would be renewed through 2029. Kelloggsville voters are being asked to renew its current operating millage, an assessment of 17 mills on non-homestead properties and to increase that millage by .5 or 50 cents per $1,000 taxable valuation. The millage proposal is for two years. With the change in election laws, residents can not request an absentee ballot with no reason. See you local clerk’s office for more information.



Fun fact:

83,700,000 cubic feet

That is how much snow on average that the Gerald R. Ford International Airport removes during the winter. That is enough to fill 20,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools! The Ford Airport was recently recognized for outstanding efforts in battling the elements by the  International Aviation Snow Symposium. (Source.)

Metro Cruise Dust-Off, deadline for Miss Metro Cruise contest this Saturday

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1956 Corvette

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Saturday’s weather is predicted to be a nice 67 degrees, a perfect day to bring those classic cars out of storage.

The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 6th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise Dust Off Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW. It is the first official event of the 15th annual Metro Cruise, which this year will take place on Aug. 23 and 24.

The annual Dust-Off has become a tradition and a kick-off to the summer car shows with car owners finally being able to show off what has been stored under those tarps.

The event, according to Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Chamber, usually brings in a 100 to 150 cars, depending on the weather. The first 50 collector car owners to the Dust-Off will receive a free Dust-Off shirt, which has become a collector’s item. 

To learn more about the Metro Cruise, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.

The Metro Cruise Dust-Off is Saturday, May 4

This year’s Dust-Off also will featured contestants for the Miss Metro Cruise contest (formerly the Pin Up Girl contest.) The annual contest features women dressing in eras from the 1920s, 1960s, to modern-day in full hair, makeup, and costume to present their best rockability look. Miss Metro Cruise has become a popular facet to the Metro Cruise program, according O’Callgahan.

“We are always pleased to see how the women take their time to showcase their professional and classy self-expressions,” he said. “It is a true artistry they present and has become a staple in the event.”

Deadline to submit for the Miss Metro Cruise contest is Saturday, May 4, at noon. Contestants must submit a headshot along with a full body shot at the time of entry. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. To enter, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com/2019MissMetroCruise. 

Currently there is about 30 participants all ready registered for the contest. Participants will attend the preliminary contest set for July 13 at 110:30 a.m. at the Wyoming Moose Lodge #736 located at 2630 Burlingame Ave. SW. They will be competing for an opportunity to win a spot within the top 10 finalists. Each finalist will receive a personalized trading cards and appear on the 28th Street Metro Cruise Contest main stage on Saturday, Aug. 24, for a change to be named Miss Metro Cruise 2019. The top three finalists will receive a cash prize.

Wyoming’s original fire engine part of this year’s 28th Street Metro Cruise

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The City of Wyoming’s Engine No. 1 at its home, Fire Station No. 2on Division Avenue.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It could be because it is red as a red vehicle always stands out. Then again, it is a fire engine which usually draws a crowd.

 

But more likely it is simply the fact that it is the City of Wyoming’s first fire truck that made Engine No. 1  so popular at last year’s 28th Street Metro Cruise.

 

“People love it,” said Wyoming firefighter Brad Deppe. “They’re honking. They’re waving. They’re thumbs up. They love to see it as much as we like to see it in and around the station.”

 

When restore, the truck’s details were done gold-leaf as it would have been done when purchased.

 

Deppe admits that participating in the 2017 28th Street Metro Cruise was almost an afterthought with him making the call rather late with organizers able to find a spot for the truck last year’s layout. This year, Deppe was one of the first to receive a call about this year’s event with the Engine No. 1 scheduled to be at Rogers Plaza on both days of the event, Friday and Saturday.

 

“There’ are not many communities that have the ability to say ‘Yes, we still have our original fire truck and it still goes down the road and we are still using it,” Deppe said. “It’s just really cool and a reminder of where we came from.”

 

The chase was purchased in 1931 with money raised by the Wyoming Park-Beverly area. As was typically during that time period, the body was built by the members of the department. It was put into service in 1932. The truck remained in active service until 1962 and for another eight years was used to fill and drain cisterns around the city.

 

In 1970, the truck was retired and for the next eight years, it sat in storage. That is until the question was raised on what the city should do with it, Deppe said. A group of about 18 Wyoming firefighters pushed for the truck to be restored. The restoration project started in May of 1978 and took about 14 months and approximately 610 man hours to complete, mostly done during off hours in evenings and on weekends. The cost was about $3,500.

 

During the restoration, the truck was dismantled and sent to Jackson to be repainted. When it was stripped, many of the original details and designs were discovered so the truck was restored to as much of its original look as possible, Deppe said, adding that included gold-leaf used in designs and pin stripping which was all done by hand.

 

Other details included the seat being reupholstered to as close at the original as possible. An original-style siren was located in New Jersey. Also original is one of the two ladders and the seat on the front fender which was not used when the truck was driving down the street, Deppe said, but was designed for a firefighter to sit in while helping to put out brush fires.

 

Firefighters would only seat on the fender seat when the city had a brush fire.

 

The restored engine was utilized in a number of events for several years but as those involved with overseeing the truck retired or moved on, Engine No. 1 once again was moved back into storage.

 

“About a year or so ago, the question came up again about what should we do with the truck,” Deppe said. The truck needed to be made road ready which included fixing any leaks and tracking down an era appropriate license plate.

 

The city’s firefighters knew what a gem it was to have Wyoming’s original fire truck and with that in mind, along with the help of Wyoming’s Steve Antique Repair — which is located in the old Wyoming Park/Beverly area — the staff was able to bring the engine out of storage.

 

“Now we are slowly piecing it back together,” Deppe said. “Finding some of things that use to be original on it the weren’t that have been changed at some point. Getting it back to its original state.”

 

The Wyoming’s Engine No. 1. which is housed in the Fire Station No. 2 on Division Avenue, has participated in parades, attended Department of Public Safety events, and of course, the 28th Street Metro Cruise. Deppe said the department hopes to continue to use the truck as way to engage the community, sharing a bit of the past to teach the importance of fire safety.

Cars are the stars at the 14th annual 28th Street Metro Cruise

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

For your traffic report this weekend, expect 28th Street to be packed full of hot rods, classic and vintage cars as the 2018 28th Street Metro Cruise takes place this Friday and Saturday.

 

The epicenter of the two-day event will once again be Rogers Plaza, where there will be food, vendors, the Pin Up Girl Contest, and of course cars, cars, and more cars. WKTV also will be on site recording the 14th annual event.

 

“The love affair West Michigan, and the entire county, has with the classic and collector cars is still going strong,” said Bob O’Callaghan, the president of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization that hosts the annual event. “We know the cars are the stars and always will be. We invite every type of car and car lover to attend our two-day showcase to celebrate these cars.”

 

Started in 2005 as a way to bring business back to 28th Street during the construction of the M-6 bypass, the event has grown to an annual attendance of more than 275,000 visitors in 2017 and more than 15,000 classic cars including hot rods, muscle cars, low riders, antiques and many more. The family-friendly event is 15 miles of cars, fun, and history running from Grandville to Cascade. 

 

Get a pre-look at the cars with the Blessing of the Cars, which takes place Thursday, Aug. 23 from 5 – 9 p.m at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, 1120 32nd St. SW. The lot will be open for cars starting at 5 p.m. Cars should enter off of 32nd Street or Michael Avenue. 

 

The 2018 Metro Cruise kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24. The alternative Latin rock group Cabildo will be on the main stage at 4:30 p.m., followed by local favorite, Delilah DeWylde at 7:30 p.m. performing a range of hillbilly and blues. Friday closes at 10 p.m.

 

Saturday, Aug. 25, kicks off at 9 a.m. with the opening ceremonies which will include the GM Foundation presentation to local charities. 

 

“We have a few new things this year,” O’Callaghan said.  “Among the activities, we will have the Midwest Mobile Dyno on hand for car owners to test their vehicles.”

 

For us non-motorheads, a dyno or dynamometer is a device for measuring force, torque, or power. Spots for the dyno had to be pre-booked (cost is $30). There is a free spectators viewing area near the test site which will be close to the Jet’s Pizza on the east end of the plaza. The testing will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

 

There will be a Walk-Up Pinewood Derby Racing event from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Hosted by Boy Scout Troops 354, 312, and 318, visitors can bring a car, build a car, or use one that is available. Derby car kits will be available for purchase on the day of the event. The Pinewood Derby will be in the Metro Square at Rogers Plaza. 

 

The music starts at 11:30 a.m. with the Seventh Son Blues Band and breaks at 2 p.m. for the the 2018 Pin Up Girl Contest. At 3:30 p.m. performing rock hits and covers is Mid-Life Crisis with southern rock country Bourbon Legends performing at 6:30 p.m. 

 

Known as “Mr. Walleye at Night,” Mark Martin will be at Steve’s Antique Auto Repair’s Booth located at Rogers Plaza. Martin is a fishing promoter, who travels extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada for tournaments, tv shows, and other events to teach walleye wisdom and lead children’ fishing clinics. At Metro Cruise, Martin — who will be there both Friday and Saturday — will be displaying his restored 1969 AMX as he talks about fishing, hunting, and cars. 

 

Also at Rogers Plaza will be a relaxation tent and two food courts featuring an arrange of offerings such as barbecue, burgers, pizza, tamales, tacos, burritos, wraps, and ice cream. Shuttle service will be available from and to the KDL Wyoming branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW, and the Wyoming High School, 1350 Prairie Pkwy SW.

 

Of course the activities will not be just at Rogers Plaza, but local business such as Marge’s Donut Den and many of the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association members will be featuring cars and other activities.

 

For example, Harvey Automotive, 2600 28th St. SE, will showcase multiple car clubs with up to 90 classic vehicles in attendance. At Dan Pfeiffer Lincoln Mercury, 2424 28th St. SE, will be featuring Dean (Dino) Arnold, the creator of the sleek 1961 Ford Thunderflite. Dino is the owner of Dinos Rod and Customs, based in Middlevile, Mich. Joining Dino will be registered rat fink artist Kit-Kat, who is known for her paint builds and signature pin stripping which she will be demonstrating at the event.

WKTV Journal: Hugs, Metro Cruise, and Getting Involved

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In the latest segment of the WKTV Journal, we sit-down with Kentwood artist Meoshia Thomson who discusses the power of hugs, a key element in her 2018 ArtPrize submission.

 

We also take a sneak peek into the upcoming 28th Street Metro Cruise, which is set for Aug. 24 and 25 at Rogers Plaza and catch up with a group of Wyoming and Kentwood actors who are in one of Agatha Christie’s most famous plays, “And Then There Were None,” set to be performed at the Jension Center for Performing Arts.

 

Wyoming resident Chris Hall visits with us to talk about the Wyoming’s Community Development Committee, which serves as an advisory board to the Wyoming City Council on the federally-funded Community Block Development Grants. The committee has openings for Wyoming residents with Chris noting it is an excellent way to get involved with the Wyoming committee.

 

Lastly, we take a trip down memory lane with Wyoming History Commission member Bill Branz and WKTV Contributor Katey Batey as they talk about S&H Green Stamps.

DreamWheels!: The man behind ZZ Tops’ famous hot rod comes to Metro Cruise

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Pete Charpouris from So-Cal Speed Shop
Pete Chapouris from So-Cal Speed Shop

Why does Pete Chapouris, owner of one of the nation’s oldest specialty parts shop for hot rods, So-Cal Speed Shop, enjoy coming all the way from Southern California to Wyoming’s 28th Street Metro Cruise?

 

“Oh, that’s easy,” Chapouris said during a recent phone interview. “The people.”

 

“You can see lot of cars during one of these events and even in a lifetime, but it’s the people that make it interesting,” Chapouris said.

 

Chapouris returns to this year’s Metro Cruise set for Aug. 26 and 27. He will be at the Steve’s Antique Auto Repair display on the west end of Rogers Plaza for both days, signing free autographs and sharing experiences with car lovers.

 

Last year was Chapouris first time being at the Metro Cruise and he said there were a lot of high points such as visiting the area’s most popular bakery, Marge’s Donut Den.

 

“I also give a lot of kudos to the police department,” Chapouris said. “I have been to a lot of big events like this and [the officers] did a nice job of crowd control.” Especially, he noted, since 28th Street was packed with cars and people.

 

But for Chapouris and his wife Carol, the key to any event is the people who become an extended family to them. Steve Sturim, owner of Steve’s Antique Auto Repair which hosts Chapouris’s visit, said last year they were able to meet up with folks from Allendale’s Gas Axe Garage and others.

 

The car that started it all for Pete Chapouris, the 1934 coupe "The California Kid."
The car that started it all for Pete Chapouris, the 1934 coupe “The California Kid.”

“It’s just hanging out with about 20 to 30 people who see it the same way and have similar experiences in remodeling cars,” Strum said.

 

For those who do not follow or not in the world of custom hot rods and classic cars, So-Cal and Chapouris may be an unknown. However, few can forget the ZZ Tops famous hot rod, The Eliminator, which appeared on the 1993 album of the same name. The car was heavily influenced by Chapouris’s 1934 coupe that featured flames and would launch Chapouris’s career as it was not only featured on the cover of “Rod & Custom” magazine but was in the made-for-TV movie “The California Kid” starring Martin Sheen.

 

A leader in the hot rod scene for more than 50 years with such companies as Pete and Jake’s Hot Rod Parts and The Pete Chapouris Group (PC3g), Chapouris took over the So-Cal brand from its founder Alex Zdias in the late 1990s. For Chapouris, it was a no brainer in that So-Cal was a recognized brand that he could build upon with his own talents and background, he said. With a home base in Pomona, Calif., Chapouris and his team have accomplished a lot in the last 20-plus years, with retail outlets across the country and into Canada. In fact, Steve’s Antique Auto is a retail location with Sturim saying that working with Chapouris and So-Cal has given him a lot more than just street cred.

 

“Working with Pete has given me a lot of insight into a different aspect of this business,” Sturim said, adding its nice to be able to share stories and ideas with someone who has such a legacy in the business.

 

Chapouris has won numerous awards for his work, been inducted in to several hall of fames, and been apart of a number of television and radio shows including “Street Rod & Custom Radio,” but at the end of the day, it’s still all about the people and the cars.

 

“When I was asked to come back my wife and I really didn’t have to think much about it,” Chapouris said, adding that it was the West Michigan hospitality that made saying “yes” so easy.

 

Steve Sturim and Pete Chapouris will be part of the DreamWheels! show on Saturday, Aug. 27, which is from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW, and Pal’s Diner, 6503 28th St. SE. Strum and Chapouris will be at the Rogers Plaza location.

DreamWheels!: Pin Up Girl Contest set to take place at Rogers Plaza

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Pin ups
The preliminary round for this year’s 28th Street Metro Cruise Pin Up Girls Contest featured 14 young ladies who were narrowed down to 10 finalist. Those finalists will compete for the title this Saturday.

 

A few years ago, Stacey Davis was walking through the 28th Street Metro Cruise when she happened upon the Pin Up Girl contest at Rogers Plaza.

 

“My dad restores classic cars so I grew up going to car shows like the Metro Cruise every summer,” said Davis, whose stage name is Ginger Snaps. “I grew up seeing the girls in the poodle skirts, the Marilyn Monroe impersonators and I saw the Metro Cruise contest and decided to sign up.”

 

Last year, the former Grand Rapids resident, who recently moved to Midland, was crowned Miss Metro Cruise 2015.

 

“It definitely helped with my confidence to know that I had won that title,” Davis said, adding that it has been a fun time visiting with little girls and meeting new people. “It was a great experience.”

 

This year Davis is joined by Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Jeremiah White, owner of Reflections Salon, to judge the 2016 Pin Up Girl Contest which is part of the Metro Cruise fun. The even takes place Saturday, Aug. 27, from 1 – 3 p.m. at Rogers Plaza.

 

ginger snaps
The 2015 28th Street Metro Cruise Pin Up is Stacey Davis a.k.a. Ginger Snaps.

The Pin Up Girl Contest has been a longstanding tradition at Metro Cruise, said Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce Bob O’Callaghan. And it makes sense. Flip through any car magazine and within the first few pages you will see a very pretty girl next to a candid apple red street racer or a bright green hotrod.

 

The pin up girl is an interesting American phenomenon which was born in the 1800s through magazines like Life, boomed in the 1930s due to the calendars of Brown and Bigelow, and peaked during World War II. Today, pin up girls remain a fabric of the American cultural and an ode to what many have called “a simpler time.”

 

For the 28th Street Metro Cruise Pin Up Girl Contest,  there was a preliminary contest in July where the number of girls were narrowed down to 10 finalist who will compete for the title on Saturday. The girls come from all over to compete in the contest, which this year is being organized by JA PR Group.

 

Spectators are welcomed to watch and cheer for their favorite.

 

Rogers Plaza serves as the central spot for the Metro Cruise with a host of activities taking place all around the mall. The “DreamWheels!” television program will be broadcasting live from Rogers Plaza as well Cascade’s Pal’s Diner from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Pete Chapouris from So-Cal Speed Shop will be signing autographs at the Rogers Plaza tent for Steve’s Antique Auto Repair.

 

For more, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.