Local organizers are hoping for a large crowd Saturday to celebrate our country’s Independence Day.
The monthly Main Street Cruise-In is expected to draw a large number of classic vehicles and motorcycles and there will be plenty of food, jumpers for the children, musical entertainment and more beginning at 4 p.m. However, this month’s event will end with a bang.
“We started in December with the Cruise-In and every month it has grown,” Main Street Columbia, Inc. Manager Nik Ingram said. “It started with seven cars, then 12, then 20, 50 and then 95 cars. Last month, we had 24 vehicles even though it was pouring rain. This month I think we’ll have a large crowd of bikes and cars. I think we’re going to have a really good time.”
Ingram said a variety of activities would be available for those who come downtown Saturday.
“There will be food vendors down there,” he said. “Kane’s is coming out and some others. We also have a lot of sponsors and they’ve been helping to make sure all of this happens. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be having it.”
The festivities are sponsored by Looks Great Services, the Marion County Development Partnership and a host of others, including: Mack Grubbs Motors, A-1 Buildings, Dungan Engineering, Woodlawn Church, Zoom Party Rentals, Pac-N-Stack Mini Storage, Marion County Board of Supervisors, City of Columbia, Webb Forestry, Bug Me Pest Solutions, Maxwell Pest Control, Cook & Fortenberry Pharmacy and Walmart.
“After this month’s Cruise-In, we’re going to have a great fireworks show,” Ingram said. “I’m really excited about that.”
Ingram said several areas will be great spots to view the display from.
“The grassy area near Citizens Bank will be one of the best places to view it from,” he said. “Or another place to see them from is Pearl River Interpretive Plaza. People may want to check it out. There may even be some activities down there. I think it would be nice for everybody to visit. So when you come downtown for the Cruise-In, there is time for people to walk over and check it out.”
Shoppers will also have a chance to check out several businesses that will be open during the Cruise-In.
“There will be a significant number of businesses open,” Ingram said. “I don’t know all of them, more are adding to the list every day, but I know that several of the boutiques are going to have tents around their buildings. I know that Hill Hardware will be cooking some hot dogs on their new porch. Just really exciting things happening downtown.”
Ingram is hopeful that people will visit Columbia to view the vehicles and shop with the merchants that are open.
“I hope we get a really larger crowd,” he concluded. “It’s a chance to show what a great place Columbia is. Those of us living here and doing business here know how special Columbia is and we want to show that to other people.”
The Cruise-In begins at 4 p.m. and lasts until dark.
All makes and models are welcome. Registration and participation is free. At dusk, the fireworks will be displayed.
Pictured Above: Saturday’s Cruise-In and fireworks are expected to bring large crowds downtown. | Photo by Mark Rogers
