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SALEM -- Classic cars, antique tractors, big trucks, shiny semis, motorcycles, Corvettes, race cars -- pick your pleasure -- the Salem Super Cruise will have it.
Visitors can also look to the sky for the possible return of the Goodyear blimp, weather permitting, with plans to make two or three passes over the city between noon and 5 p.m. Friday. Anyone who sees the blimp is asked to post photos on their social media pages, that way the blimp may return in future years.
The restored Giant Frostop Root Beer mug will make its first spin at the cruise in the Bailey Financial parking lot on East State Street at 8 p.m. Thursday and also be there Friday before moving to the main show lot at Pershing and Lundy.
Along with music on the South Broadway stage, crafts, food, chances for prizes, lots of fellowship and relaxing fun, the cruise will offer lots of ways to place the pandemic in the rearview mirror.
"There should be something there for everybody this weekend," cruise organizer Gene Johnson said.
Rain or shine, he said they'll be there in the main show parking lot, but he stressed there's more to the Salem Super Cruise than just that lot, with several chances for vehicle owners to earn trophies all weekend in different spots.
Those opportunities include: Antique Tractor Show, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, South Broadway;
Car Show, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Donnell Ford; Bike Show, 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Salem Eagles; Car Show, 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Diehl Chrysler; and Show & Shine Car Show, sponsored by Fall's Hauling, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, main cruise lot.
The Salem Super Cruise traditionally kicks off when Mayor John Berlin gives the "Start your engines" order at 7 p.m. Thursday, but there's already some pre-cruise activities today.
The award-winning 1965 Dodge A990 Coronet owned by Charley and Denise Caldwell of Painesville is currently on display at Diehl Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Salem on North Ellsworth Avenue. The car was one of just three featured during the Chrysler Corporation's 100th anniversary and was shown during the 50th anniversary of the Race Hemi.
"It's a beautiful car. Looks like it just rolled off the assembly line," Johnson said.
Also, from noon to 3 p.m. today, CommuniCare will sponsor a mini super cruise show at Salem West Healthcare Center on Bentley Drive, featuring a car show with prizes, food, drink, a DJ, and raffles, with half the proceeds going to the Mullins family of Lisbon.
The Tri-State Antique Car Club will have a show from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Centennial Park, with Berkshire Hathaway helping out the parks department.
Donnell Ford will host cruisers with music and food both Friday and Saturday nights, with Salem Eagles hosting bike nights (cars can go, too) with food and music both Friday and Saturday nights. Corvettes from 1953-1972 with steel or chrome bumpers can be seen from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Methodist church parking lot, the garden tractor pull kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday on South Broadway and Ray Lewis & Company Valve Cover Racing is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday on South Lundy.
The really big trucks will be on display at Firestone on South Lundy/Pershing, restored classic semi trucks will be on South Lundy and race cars will be located on South Broadway.
There will be music every night on the South Broadway stage, at the Eagles Club on North Ellsworth and the Donnell Ford stage on East State Street, plus an arts and crafts vendor show Friday through Sunday.
Johnson said there's a large four-day Chinese auction of over 40 items, some valued at up to $300. Tickets are three for $1. There's also a four-day 50/50 drawing, $500 beef and pork raffle sponsored by Moore's Farms and cruise T-shirts for $10.
"I hope God gives a break with the weather," city Service/Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello said.
This will be his first cruise and he said he's excited. The city hall grounds have been spruced up and the parking lot at Pershing and Lundy also got a good once-over. He said the street department did a great job there.
He noted the DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) will not be held during the cruise and police will be watching. He said they'll be out in full force, both patrolling in cars and on foot.
"We hope to see everybody downtown," he said.
Berlin said there's a great deal of excitement with this year's cruise. Last year they had to cancel due to COVID, so people are looking forward to this year's event, especially with the governor dropping the health orders just last week.
Berlin stressed how much the city appreciates the work of Johnson and the cruising' crew and all the volunteers who help make the cruise possible. This year the Salem High School Band Boosters will volunteer, along with workers from three area food pantries. Part of the money raised from T-shirt sales and raffles will be donated to the band boosters and food pantries.
Check the Salem News for the daily schedule beginning Thursday. More details about the event can be seen at salemsupercruise.com or the Salem Super Cruise Facebook page.