Morris Cruise Night returns Saturday

MORRIS — After having to cancel all of their events in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morris Cruise Night is ready to open up its season Saturday night in downtown Morris.

The event, which happens monthly from June through October, promises to be a big one as the state of Illinois opens back up the previous day.

“We had a hard time last year,” Cruise Night founder Herb Wyeth said. “We had already bought all our registration forms and flyers, which cost about $4-5,000, so that was a big expense without having the events. But, we were able to make it work and we are excited to give folks the opportunity to get back out.”

Wyeth said he wouldn’t be surprised if Saturday’s event tops the previous record of 917 cars on display. The cars will line Liberty Street as well as Benton, Chapin, North, Jackson, Jefferson, Main and W. Washington Streets.

At each event, the Cruise Night committee chooses an organization and allows that organization to sell 50/50 raffle tickets as well as having a food booth. Saturday’s beneficiary will be the Morris Police Benevolent Society.

“Now that things are opened up, I think this one is going to be big,” Wyeth said. “People are ready to get out and this is an outdoor event, so I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of people coming downtown.

“We are excited to be having Cruise Night after not being able to have it last year.”