Greg Magnan’s 1947 Pontiac Streamliner.

Nancy Edmonds Hanson 

After three years of a growing crowd of cars both hot and classic, Moorhead Cruise Night is rolling out a new, more convenient location this summer.
“This year, all five of our shows are going to take place at M State,” says organizer Bill Bartholomay. “There’s more room. It’s easier to get to. It’s going to be pretty cool.”
The first Cruise Night is coming up May 2 – as always, on the first Thursday of the month. From 5:30 to 8 p.m., hundreds of vehicles will line up on the lot west of the technical college at 1900 28th Ave. South, just northwest of Exit 1B on Interstate 94.
Eight vendors and food trucks will line up near the stage on the western margin of the front lot, where local and regional bands will provide music in the open air. Ample parking is available just a few yards away in the large parking area north of the college building.
Now in its fourth year, Moorhead Cruise Night has scheduled five events starting next month. Other dates: June 6, July 4, Aug. 1 and Sept. 5.
Bartholomay launched the shows on Center Avenue near the Center Mall in 2022 with the help of the mall’s then-manager Andrew Nielsen. Since then, he has organized the shows each year with a small crew of helpers, among them his daughters Kalli and KyLee (both car enthusiasts who work on vehicles at their father’s side). Other regulars include Sheila England, Robbie Fetch and Wyatt Nelson.
Nattie Jean and the Fringe, a combo from Carrington, North Dakota, take the stage during the May event. Road Trip Radio performs on June 6 and Aug. 1. Dan Holt of Detroit Lakes plays on the Fourth of July. The summer’s grand finale Sept. 6 features Fargo’s Third Street Blues Band. “They played last summer and everybody wanted them back,” Bartholomay points out.
Among the concessionaires who have registered for the shows are J&B Concessions of Hawley, Taxi Side of Enderling, the Corn Dog Man, Lupe’s Tacos, the Rootbeer Float Man, Brain Freeze and Addie’s Ice Cream. The Moorhead American Legion will be serving adult beverages.
Bartholomay expects 2024’s car shows to eclipse the number of participants in past years. “We have so much more room now,” he emphasizes. “We’ve had as many as 260 vehicles in the past for our downtown shows. Construction ruled that out this year, but it’s a blessing in disguise. This new location by M State will be able to easily accommodate 500 cars, and the parking is just a few steps away.”
As always, admission to the show is free. The monthly entertainers are supported by sponsored by Mazda Kia, Fix It Forward, Luther Ford, Roers Development, and the Moorhead Business Association and American Legion. For information and updates throughout the season, go to www.MoorheadCruiseNight.com