Fleetwood Country Cruize-In brings out The Stars

The stars will be out at this year’s Fleetwood Country Cruize-In May 31-June 2 on the 105-acre Steve Plunkett estate in London, ON.

Besides thousands of collector vehicles of every possible description, the much-enjoyed rock and roll shows under the big top tent are back with a wonderful mix of entertainers.

The band shows will be Friday, May 31 ($105 per person) and Saturday, June 1 ($135 per person).

Friday night it’s the “Where The Action Is” multi-band show featuring Paul Revere’s Raiders, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Mitch Ryder and Peter Rivera of Rare Earth.





On Saturday is the dinner show featuring Tony Orlando in concert.

Band tickets and information can be found at www.centennialhall.london.ca or by phoning 1-888-999-8980.

As good as that sounds, the best part of the weekend is the car show itself, being held June 1-2 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with two vintage Cadillac museums, custom cars, hot rods, classics and specialty vehicles with secure parking for visitors.

To get in all it takes is $10 per person, whether you have a car you’d like to display on the show grounds or park in secure lots with shuttles to and from the show.

And the best part is all proceeds go to local charities, such as service clubs, church auxiliaries and youth groups like the Air Cadets.

Plunkett always has celebrities on hand and this year it’s Joe and Amanda of the Iron Resurrection TV show and a perennial favourite and customizing legend, Gene Winfield.



I’ve been going to the Cruize-In from almost its beginning and I’m still amazed at how there can be up to 4,500 cars on the lawn by noon on the first day.

Information on the car show can be found at www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com.

The first event was in 2002 when Plunkett invited 60 other car lovers over for a small car show at his place.

“I enjoyed it so much we ended up hosting the Auburn Cord Duesenberg get-together for Canada the next year,” said Plunkett, adding that the event has continued to evolve and grow from there.

What makes Fleetwood so different is it’s not just another car show.

“There’s so much going on; that’s what makes it so unique,” said Plunkett. “There’s no event in North America like this.”

It’s a lot of work handling 10,000 cars over two days and twice as many people, but Plunkett has grown the Cruize-In into one of the best and largest outdoor car shows in Canada.

“Oh yeah, I still enjoy it,” Plunkett said. “Everyone has a good time and it’s all in support of local charity.”

The author of this story been to just about every Cruize-In and I’m still amazed at what turns up.

I have already made plans to go back and I sure hope I see you there.