Cruise Night organizer Bill Bartholomay with his 1946 Chevy pickup.

There won’t be a checkered flag to mark it, but downtown Moorhead’s Cruise Nights will be ready to hit the gas on Thursday, May 5, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Organizer Bill Bartholomay shared plans for another summer of the highly successful public car shows with the Moorhead City Council Monday, detailing what’s back, what’s new, and the record season he and other automobile enthusiasts are planning.

Scheduled reconstruction of Center Avenue has temporarily pushed the car-lovers’ event a short distance north, where the 200 to 250 vehicles expected each month will occupy the large parking lot on the north side of the mall. That area will also feature music, food and beverages provided by a number of local favorites.

The rock group Slamabama takes the stage next week. Others on the schedule include Kissing Company, June 2; the Uptown Band, July 7; October Road, Aug. 4; and Tripwire, Sept. 1.

Among vendors expected to be on hand are Poke Bowl, the Hot Dog Peddler, Potato Brothers, Detroit Deli, Northern Brain Freeze, Taco Brothers, Urban Foods Catering, Windsor Waffles, Pico Food Truck, Jumbo’s, Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ, and the Twisted Spork.

Bartholomay says a new feature of the events is the honoring of an individual or organization each month. First in line is veteran Gary Schulz, commander of Moorhead American Legion Post 21.