By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

When the Crawford County Customs and Classics Car Club announced it wouldn’t be hosting the Graffiti Cruise in 2017, it left the annual June downtown Bucyrus classic car show in doubt. However, thanks to the men in blue, the classic cars will still have a venue to cruise.

The Bucyrus Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) stepped in to take over the reins, and while the car show will now be billed as “Cruisin’ with the Cops,” the car show itself will be largely unchanged. President of the Bucyrus Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police Lt. Tom Walker explained how the FOP stepped in to continue the Bucyrus tradition.

“It was my understanding that some of the members of the car clubs were getting up there in the years, and it was getting very difficult for them to participate in getting things involved,” Walker said. “So when it became available for us to take over we decided we would take the lead as a fraternal organization.

“When we found that the car show was going to be discontinued, it is just such a fantastic program, and we just all wanted to pitch in and help,” Walker continued. “And there are some just amazing, wonderful people from the various different car clubs who are offering their assistance and guidance and helping us through this first year. Folks have just rallied around this. It is just such an amazing event. Classic cars are just such a big vital part of the City of Bucyrus, and we want to make sure that that stays alive.”

Registration will cost $15. Cars allowed into this year’s cruise must be 1991 and older. Those who pre-register will receive an event t-shirt, and all who register will be permitted to cruise. Lt. Walker noted that the funds raised through registration will go to support various charities.

“The proceeds, we will use them for various charities and local events. We do sponsor the little league. There is also Operation Hope for Christmas where we buy Christmas gifts for underprivileged children. Everything that we support as a fraternal organization that is where the money goes,” Walker explained.

While the name for the event will be changing everything else will be business as usual. As Walker explained, the FOP didn’t want to reinvent the wheel.

“This year we are going to try to keep it as simple as possible and as close to the old Graffiti Cruise, and the reason for that is we don’t want to reinvent the wheel. This is something that has been very successful for 25 years that these car clubs have put this on, and it has benefitted the local businesses and it has been such a huge part of our community,” Walker said.

“So, we don’t want to go in and reinvent that wheel, and that is why we have many of the car clubs as advisors to help us keep it as close to that recipe for success. Maybe over the years we may gradually change some things, but I don’t see any monster changes coming, because those folks did such an amazing job before. I just can’t see going out and changing a bunch of things.”

While the FOP will be hosting the event, Walker pointed out that the FOP is not affiliated with the city, and that it is strictly the FOP putting on the event. Walker thanked those who have helped and have supported the transition.

“I am absolutely blessed to be a part of this,” Walker said. “I cannot thank folks enough for the amount of support they have shown, and even the FOP members. They have gotten their families involved. This is something that we want to save, and want to continue, and want to be part of the Bucyrus community for years and years to come.”

The event will be held on Saturday, June 10 with day of registration for the cruise starting at 2 p.m. and lasting until 6 p.m. Judging will commence while cars are taking laps with trophies being presented at 8 p.m.

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