Wyoming, Michigan, June 3, 2020-- The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday that they have decided to cancel the 28th Street Metro Cruise for 2020 citing safety concerns related to COVID-19
Organizers said the annual cruise was scheduled to take place for its 16th consecutive year on Aug. 21-22 on the 13-mile long stretch of 28th Street from Grandville to Cascade Charter Township. The central hub of the event takes place at Rogers Plaza in Wyoming, which features the famous Collector Car Row, local bands, event merchandise and more.
The 28th St., Metro Cruise typically draws more over 200,000 people annually from across the United States and includes approximately 15,000 vehicles such as hot rods, low riders, muscle cars, performance cars, classics, antiques and motorcycles, in additional to numerous live events.
Bob O'Callaghan, the president and CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce said, "This event has become a community tradition, and we always look forward to welcoming car lovers from around the country into our communities each year. While it appears our state may begin to gradually reopen this summer, the event still poses a potential high risk of spreading COVID-19 in our community and beyond.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the Chamber agreed it cannot risk a second wave of infection in a state that already has experienced enough loss. This was an extremely difficult decision for the Chamber to make, but the right one in light of health concerns for our community.”
The 28th Street Metro Cruise began in 2005 to help drive business to the 28th Street corridor when the M-6 highway system opened on the south end of Grand Rapids. The cruise is typically held every August.
The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce said the event is planned to return Aug. 20-21, 2021. For more information on the event, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.