OBSERVER file photo This classic Ford Mustang, with a custom license plate on the front that reads “A Blast From The Past,” was one of the many vehicles featured at a Cruise-In event the Lake Shore Street Rod Association held at the Sheridan VFW Post 6390 last fall.

Point Gratiot Park is the place to be on Sunday afternoon, as hundreds of cars from across the region are set to pull up to the Lake Erie shoreline for an annual event like no other.

The annual Lake Shore Street Rod Association Harbor Cruise is set for Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m., at Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk. The event, which is free of charge, has displayed hundreds of vehicles every year from across New York State and beyond to share a passion for automobiles, while raising money for a worthy cause.

“It’s always a good time,” said Tom Kwiatkowski, President of Lake Shore Street Rods. “It’s really nice (to give back) … We enjoy doing it for people.”

The Lake Shore Street Rod Association was founded more than five decades ago by a group of seven individuals who shared their love of automobiles. A year ago, Dan Salerno, the last surviving member of the group, told the OBSERVER, “I never thought it would last this long. … I’m glad it has. I hope after I’m gone, it keeps going.”

The Harbor Cruise is one of many fundraisers the association holds each year, with the proceeds from each of the shows the group attends donated to local causes. The Lake Shore Street Rods Association also held a Cruise-In event at the Sheridan VFW Post 6390 last August to benefit local veterans’ programs.

The Harbor Cruise does not require a fee upon entry, as opposed to many other car shows. The Lake Shore Street Rods Association does not take a profit from its annual event.

“Some car shows charge to get in, but we don’t have a specific amount. If people donate, we don’t keep anything out of that,” Kwiatkowski said. “It goes where it needs to go.”

This year, the Harbor Cruise will benefit Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels and the Chautauqua County Veterans Endowment Fund. Last year, the event raised more than $10,000 for the same causes.

“It was the best year we ever had,” Kwiatkowski said. He noted that bringing the show back after the pandemic was a challenge, but the response last year was better than ever. “People wanted to get out,” he said.

At Sunday’s event, prize raffles and a 50-50 raffle will be held throughout the afternoon. The event will also feature live music by HooMan and D.J. Ray The Fat Man Heron. Food vendors will be on site, including a chicken barbecue by Mike Porpiglia.

Major sponsors for the event include Shults Resale Center Dunkirk; The Ark Shop – Arkwright Printing Co. Inc.; Zambotti Collision; Fredonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Fredonia Ford Inc.; and Allegeny-Erie Inc.