Photos: Relive Berkley CruiseFest Parade, Party

Berkley Patch was out and about during Friday's . Whether you want to relive the experience or missed it altogether, we've got some of the highlights.

10 p.m.: and Alliance Mobile Health officials said CruiseFest went off without any major problems. "It's been slow," Alliance Mobile Health Operations Manager Mike Koehler said. "We haven't given out even one Band-Aid." The Troy-based emergency medical service did receive one 911 call in Berkley, he said, and the ambulance was slightly delayed by traffic on Woodward Avenue. Luckily, Koehler said, a bike team was just around the corner and was able to assist until the ambulance could arrive to transport the patient. BPS Director Richard Eshman agreed the night had been peaceful and said his department had experienced no major incidents. "I'm not a car guy, but I like people," he said. "Most of the people are here for the right reasons."

9:50: Berkley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julie Melrose said sales of CruiseFest T-shirts were doing well Friday. "We've been busy," she said from under the Berkley theater marquee. "It's been steady." The shirts will be available at through next week or until they sell out, Melrose said.

9:40: It was one little boy's lucky night when The Aaron Vaughn Band invited him on stage to play guitar during Berkley CruiseFest. "That was completely unexpected," Berkley resident Steve Burlett said of his 8-year-old son Matt's brush with stardom. "We bought him a guitar a couple years ago for Christmas and he plays it all the time."

9:30: The Tri-Community Coalition Street Dance on Griffith Street north of 12 Mile was just wrapping up, but it seemed the assembled teens and youngsters could have danced all night. Proving that the band Journey's allure know no bounds – even a generational gap that would seem insurmountable – the crowd chimed in on cue to sing in unison: "Born and raised in south Detroit!"

9:25: Downtown Berkley was transformed into a teenagers' paradise Friday night, with packs of youngsters strolling between attractions and food vendors, many decked out in light-up Mohawks or necklaces. However, many among the younger crowd – babies and toddlers, we mean – were starting to show the day's wear and tear with cranky tears and long faces.

9:20: Lisa Machiniak of Berkley and her nephew Ben, 4, were among the crowd watching a documentary film about teen singing sensation Justin Bieber at the corner of Phillips and 12 Mile Road. Ben, who is a Bieber fan, said his favorite part of the CruiseFest car parade earlier in the evening was "the car with two wheels in the front and one in the back." Lisa Machiniak said her favorite part of the day was the unity the event created. "I think, especially with how horrible the times have been, it's great for businesses," she said. "And, I think it's important for communities to do things like this to keep people together."

8:59: Tonight and tomorrow, in Berkley is offering free bowling and drink specials at The Hat Trick Pub. There also will be a Dream Cruise after-party with entertainment by The Incredibles. Call 248-543-9338 for more information. "Our family looks forward to the Dream Cruise weekend every year," read a flier that was distributed to CruiseFest fans Friday. "This year we wanted to do something different."

8:04: The classic car parade may be over, but there is still plenty of fun left to be had tonight in Berkley! Here's the schedule:

• Until 9 p.m.: Children’s inflatable games will be set up between Tyler and Gardner, north of 12 Mile. There is no admission fee for the games, but all children must wear socks to use the inflatables.
• Until 9 p.m.: The Tri-Community Coalition will sponsor a Street Dance on Griffith Street north of 12 Mile.
• Until 9:30 p.m.: Twistin Tarantulas will perform at 12 Mile and Robina.  
• Until 11 p.m.: Aaron Vaughn Band will perform at 12 Mile and Robina. 
• All evening: Food and beverages will available for purchase throughout the downtown business district.

Official Woodward Dream Cruise merchandise booths selling hats, pins, dash flaps, magnetics, T-shirts, polos and cups will be set up on Woodward and in downtown Berkley. Cash and checks will be accepted.

The main booth is on the northwest corner of 12 Mile and Woodward. It will be open until approximately 10 p.m. (or when business slows significantly). The booth also will be open Saturday from approximately 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Berkley Junior Women's Club member Cinda Coon said.

Other booths will be located at the following intersections:

• Edgewood and Woodward
• Catalpa and Woodward
• Cambridge and Woodward
• Robina and 12 Mile

7:20 p.m.: As soon as all the classic cars passed, folks packed up their bag chairs and headed for the hills (or the suburbs, as it were) creating a different kind of pedestrian traffic jam on the sidewalks.

6:45 p.m: And they're off! More than 400 classic cars are streaming out of in Berkley, many sporting American flags, glossy paint jobs and rumbling engines as they make their way downtown. There is also quite a collection of characters, several puppets and even one passenger dressed up like a Tiger smoking a cigar. We also noticed several Canadian car fans watching and participating in the parade. Stay tuned for photos.

5:15 p.m.: Law enforcement agencies from Oakland and Wayne counties met Friday at the for dinner and a briefing before the closure of 12 Mile Road at 6 p.m. Law enforcement and EMS officials from Oakland County Emergency Management, , Oakland County Emergency Management, Alliance Mobile Health, Wayne and Oakland County sheriffs and Clinton Township Police will be on hand to assist during the event. When asked what he'd like to say to CruiseFest participants, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said: "Have fun in Berkley tonight. The only things we don't tolerate are alcohol and dangerous driving," he said. "Other than that it's pretty relaxed." After the parade passes, 12 Mile Road will remain closed downtown, BPS Deputy Director Robert North said.

4:59 p.m.: Cruisers and spectators were starting to stream into Berkley, staking out spots along 12 Mile Road to watch the classic car parade and enjoying the sidewalk sales. CruiseFest is scheduled to start in just about an hour, so head downtown and snag a spot before it's too late.

4:35: With a high near 90 degrees on this sunny Friday, it will be important for CruiseFest fans to stay hydrated and we have the perfect place to recommend. Nora Kolar of Berkley, her kids Noah and cancer survivor Lauren, along with a bevy of family and friends are running a lemonade and cookie stand at ; all proceeds will go to CureSearch, which raises funds for childhood cancer research. Insipired by his 2-year-old sister's health ordeal, 5-year-old Noah suggested the fundraiser, his mom said. He even thought to have it at the gas station – "because there are more cars there" he told his mom. The stand will be open until 10 p.m. "It's near and dear to my heart," said Kolar, whose daughter is now cancer free. "Stats show 35 kids get diagnosed every day (in the United States) and 7 don't make it." Noah and his family also plan to participate Sept. 24  in The CureSearch Walk on the Detroit Riverfront. Click here if you would like to donate to their team. The fundraiser isn't the only attraction at the gas station: Car fans also can check out a Dodge Caliber Sprint Cup car driven by Brad Keselowski of Rochester Hills. "We have this every year," station owner Batul Sharrak said. "Miller brings it in."

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