By David Hutchinson
The Old US 27 Motor Tour arrived in Clare on August 22. Automotive showpieces filled the streets of downtown Clare for the public’s viewing pleasure from 6-8 p.m.
The tour was started by the late Craig Parrish in 2007, according to its website (old27tour.com). Parrish was inspired by his memories of cruising downtown Lansing as a teenager. Every third week of August, motorists have assembled with police escort to drive the north-south length of the Lower Peninsula. And each day of the trip they have stopped at select cities to display their vehicles.
Motorists Brad and LaDonna started in Coldwater, Michigan and planned to follow the route from Waterloo, Indiana To Cheboygan, Michigan, a journey well over 300 miles. The couple brought their 1951 GMC burgundy purple pickup truck with wood side rails which was a 40th wedding anniversary gift. This was their second year doing the tour.
For the motorists, the best part of the tour was the people. “You meet friends from all over. And it’s not just Michigan people. It’s Wisconsin, North Carolina, they’re comin’ from all over.” And that meant lots of cars. “We had 293 at the last stop.”
The motor tour provided lots of fun for motorists who were welcomed at each town on their route. “The streets are lined up. As we leave town, people are in lawn chairs, waving. The kids are jumpin’ up and down. It’s like we’re a parade all the time.”
The couple recommended everybody having their own old cars. “Life is too short not to have some kind of fun in your life.”
Live music was provided outside the Doherty Hotel by the band Night Shift. Songs included “Secret Agent Man,” “Hot Child in the City,” and “Oh Where Can My Baby Be.” The parking lot had a lounge area and space for dancing.
For drivers interested in participating next year, there is an entry fee which was $20 this year. Registration is in person at whichever town the person joins the tour. Driving the entire route is not required. Older vehicles are encouraged but not required.
