An annual car show and cruise that attracts 285,000 spectators and 14,000 cars might sound like a zoo. Pal’s Diner is actually going to make it look like one.
To celebrate this weekend’s 28th Street Metro Cruise—that organizers expect will draw over 300,000 visitors and 15,000 to 18,000 special interest cars—the pink-and-silver 1954 diner, tucked away on the east end of 28th Street in Cascade Township, is bringing in Laura.
The nearly 10-foot-tall, 8,000-pound African elephant will greet diners and cruisers 4-8 p.m. Friday and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, weather-permitting.
The 27-year-old elephant is no stranger to the spotlight. The gentle giant shared the big screen with Jim Carrey in “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls,” worked with the Fercos illusionist act in Reno and Las Vegas, and made Sports Illustrated after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a West Michigan Whitecaps game, among other things.
The “gentle giant” will be giving $5 rides behind Pal’s and let children feed her carrots. Her favorite foods are watermelons and pumpkins. Sometimes, just before she’s ready to head home, kids can roll watermelons to Laura to munch.
Pal’s Diner owner Barry Brown said Laura’s appearances this weekend are just another highlight of Metro Cruise.
Brown and his wife, Sam Choi-Brown, will provide live music by local bands Family Traditions and Blue Star Pilot, karaoke, a remote NASCAR race track, hula hoop and bubble gum-blowing contests, a ‘50s trivia show, golf-putting challenge, neon photo shoot, a 40-foot-long, 45s-playing Greyhound Cruiser bus and a roped-off area specifically for antique or modified cars.
The Metro Million display of high-end vehicles again will be held in the Klingman’s parking lot, which also will house a carnival. At least 15 to 25 cars averaging $100,000 to $200,000 each will be on display.
The display also will include a new event this year: a car fashion show featuring a 1902, one-cylinder Oldsmobile, the oldest car at Metro Cruise.
Caledonia resident Arny Hooton, 65, has been cruising 28th Street for years with his wife, Connie, in their ‘58 Chevy Impala.
“If you didn’t walk up and say, ‘Wow, what a nice car,’ I’d get rid of the damn thing,” he said, laughing.
Even Kentwood Mayor Richard Root, a proud gear head, realizes the importance of what’s under the hood and having a car that impresses.
His custom-painted black and white ‘71 Corvette is a new beast these days. Root purchased the vehicle new and slowly altered it to become “a very fast, very powerful Corvette,” whose V8, 520 horsepower engine contains no original GM parts.
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