ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – This spring, a beloved Escanaba tradition is coming to an end.
The Krusin’ Klassics Fun Run has served as the unofficial start of the U.P.’s car show season for decades. On May 30 and 31, the club will host its 40th and final car parade and show.
“We are all getting a little older, as much as we hate to admit it,” Club President Mark Caswell said during a press conference on Tuesday. “Our lives are changing. Although it probably doesn’t seem like it, this is an exhaustive event physically and mentally.”
The club and event were founded by a group of car enthusiasts in 1985. The first show featured 40 cars and drew 150 people. In recent years, the event has drawn thousands of spectators and as many as 800 vehicles.
“We cannot express our sincere appreciation for the immense support from our local businesses and the community’s support of our event,” said Caswell. “The entire event will be bittersweet for all the ones that have been coming to the show for numerous years, those of us that have been involved with it from day one, and for the community itself because it’s been a huge event for everybody.”
While 2025 will be the Krusin’ Klassics Car Club’s final year hosting a show of its own, the spirit of the event will live on. Starting in 2026, the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will host a car parade, titled the Ludington Street Cruise, on the same weekend. The DDA also plans to host a car show through the downtown, rather than at the fairgrounds.
“Our goal is not to duplicate what Krusin’ Klassics has done over the years,” said DDA Director Craig Woerpel. “That’s not possible to do. The impact that they have had on this community has been immense… If we have 800 cars… from Ludington Park to Lincoln Road, wouldn’t that be incredible to see?”
Mark Ammel, City Mayor and owner of Bobaloon’s Cafe, says the car parade has been a great benefit to Escanaba.
“The one thing we don’t want to lose is something that draws all of our community to come down, spend time with one another, enjoy the establishments that we have, enjoy each other’s company, and have some form of entertainment that’s fairly unique to our region and what we do,” he said. “… It’s important that we remember to gather in the spaces that we have here so that we remember what a good place it is that we live in.”
Over the years, the Krusin’ Klassics Car Club has raffled off classic cars and prizes donated by local businesses. In turn, the club gives thousands of dollars back to the community. The club has sponsored automotive tech scholarships at Bay College and supported the Walk For Warmth, Escanaba Little League, the Salvation Army, Escanaba and Gladstone robotics, St. Vincent De Paul, and families in need.
The Krusin’ Klassics Car Club will continue to attend car events in the community and support local fundraising efforts. Caswell says he and his fellow club members plan to go out with a bang, with the final Fun Run event featuring more music, children’s events, and fun for the community.
For updates on the 2025 Krusin’ Klassics Fun Run Car Show, follow the Krusin’ Klassics Facebook page.
