The event, which is free of charge, has displayed hundreds of vehicles from across New York State and beyond each year to foster a passion for classic automobiles while also helping the community. The Harbor Cruise does not require a fee upon entry, as opposed to many other car shows. Instead, guests are encouraged to offer donations to benefit local causes. Donations collected at the annual event benefit the Chautauqua County Veterans Endowment Fund and Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels.

The annual Harbor Cruise at Point Gratiot each summer is the Lake Shore Street Rod Association’s largest fundraising event, with a total of $11,500 collected last year to benefit five local organizations: Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels, the Chautauqua County Veterans Endowment Fund, Lakeshore Humane Society, Spoke Folk of Dunkirk, and the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County. Approximately $10,000 was raised for Meals on Wheels and Chautauqua County Veterans a year prior.

This year’s event will follow the same format as a year ago, including prize raffles and a 50/50 raffle that 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 Angry Bird BBQ, new to this year’s event. Other vendors include La Casa D’Mangia Inc., Tony’s Concessions, Stockton Hotel, Westfield Main Diner, Arly & Izzy’s, Charlie’s Curly Fries, Main Street Ice Cream, and Old Fashioned Lemonade. The Lake Shore Street Rod Association prioritizes using local vendors for the event each year to increase the impact it has on the region.

OBSERVER File Photos Classic cars line up at Point Gratiot during a previous year’s Harbor Cruise event.

Major sponsors for the event include Shults Resale Center Dunkirk; Fredonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Fredonia Ford Inc.; Lakeside Precision Inc.; The Ark Shop – Arkwright Printing Co. Inc.; and Zambotti Collision. Additional contributors include Molson USA, Walmart, and Salerno Motor Sports.

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. The group now maintains roughly 50 active members.

Dale Davis, President of the Lake Shore Street Rod Association, has been affiliated with the Street Rods for approximately a decade, with time as an event coordinator, as well. He is grateful to the City of Dunkirk for its willingness to support the event each year.

“Dunkirk has been a really good partner with us to get this thing done. Hats off to Dunkirk, they have worked right along with us over the years. We’re very appreciative,” Davis said previously.

While the event comes together every year, it is not a quick and easy process. Planning stages begin in the winter each year, with sponsorships and distribution of flyers coming together months before the event. Davis once said that all the planning would be for nothing if there was not a place to hold such an event. He called Point Gratiot “a local jewel” that is the perfect spot for the event.

For more information, call (716) 870-2339.