Salem Super Cruise kicks off

Jun 9, 2023

Show cars and muscle cars of every make, model and year came together across downtown Salem Thursday evening for the official kickoff of the annual Salem Super Cruise. Gallery at www.morningjournalnews.com (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — The 2023 Salem Super Cruise has officially begun its first lap through the city.

"After 10 months of planning, to see it all come together is the most beautiful thing in the world to me," said Super Cruise Director Dennis Plegge.

While cruising began at noon Thursday, and much of the festivities were already under way, the cruise did not have its official start until the opening ceremony held at 7 p.m. in the large municipal lot across the street from the Timberlanes Complex.

The ceremony began in proper fashion with a performance of the national anthem at 6:55 p.m., followed by the iconic order from Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey to "Start Your Engines," marking the official beginning of four days of cruising and family fun throughout Salem.

Plegge said he was looking forward to next year's cruise and will continue to organize the annual event moving forward, noting it would take one to two years just to teach someone to take his place and help them make the necessary connections.

Plegge also wanted to share his gratitude for everyone volunteering their time and efforts to the cruise, in particular the congregation of the Abundant Life Church in New Waterford.

"If not for them I’d really be hurting right now, they’ve helped us so much, and before that they helped so many people during the East Palestine crisis, I feel they truly deserve some recognition and all the best," said Plegge.

In addition to the kickoff ceremony and cruising, Thursday evening's fun also included the musical stylings of Along for the Ride from 6:30 through 9:30 p.m. at the Broadway Stage.

The annual fun begins in earnest today, with cruising throughout the day and a car show hosted at Donnell Salem from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with trophies, dash plaques, door prizes and a DJ. Cruisegoers can also enjoy some family fun with valve cover racing from 4 to 8 p.m. on South Lundy Avenue and can enjoy the live musical stylings of the SOBOS band from 7 to 10 p.m. on the Broadway Stage.

Kids can also cool off, have some fun and get a snack at The Brightside Project's Kid's Pit Stop from noon to 8 p.m. today and Saturday. There will also be an antique car show in Centennial Park from 5 through 8 p.m.

In addition to daily activities the cruise will feature several activities all four days including: a four-day 50/50 drawing; a four-day Chinese auction; a $500 beef and pork raffle by Moore's farm; the annual super cruise shirt sale at a cost of $15 for all sizes; a vendor craft show at the corner of Pershing and Broadway; the U.S. Army climbing wall; the U.S. Marines pull-up bar; and the return of the ever-popular Bigfoot monster truck Friday and Saturday at the Firestone Service Center on East Pershing Street.

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