GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The apex of the inaugural five-day Freedom Cruise event happened on Saturday, June 28 as celebrity appearances from History Channel stars, a rock concert, and a special presentation from American Fallen Soldier Project for Spec. Brandon Stout, were all held at the Deltaplex Arena.
The event, created by Kent County Commissioner Tom Antor, hosts classic car and motorcycle events around West Michigan in an effort to raise funds to benefit a new organization called Finish the Mission Veteran Relief Fund.
The fund aims to raise money to support the needs of veterans and their families in West Michigan, including construction projects, medical expenses, mortgage or car loans, insurance or other monetary shortfalls. It also seeks to support the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and its residents.
Danny “The Count” Kolker and his band from History Channel’s “Counting Cars” show performed a rock concert on Saturday evening. A special presentation for Spec. Brandon Stout from Grand Rapids, who was killed when an explosive detonated near his vehicle in Iraq, was also held by The American Fallen Soldiers Project which gives a family a free original portrait of their fallen loved one.
Rick and Kelly Dale from History Channel's "American Restoration" show were joined by members of the motorcycle gang from "We're The Fugawis" show on both Friday and Saturday greeting fans and signing autographs.
The Dales have never been to Grand Rapids but got a chance to visit Frederik Meijer Gardens and have plans to take a trip to Grand Haven and the beach. "We're staying at the Amway Plaza and I'm enjoying the architecture at the hotel and downtown," Rick said.
Known for his restoration of antiques on his hit television show, Rick Dale’s passion is restoring classic Coke machines which he has been doing for 30 years and says he can “do in his sleep.” But his favorite project of all time has a military connection.
“The show allowed me to restore different stuff because the show couldn’t be the same every day,” he explained. “My favorite project was for the U.S. Air Force and it was a model of an F-106. It was a memorial piece. The camaraderie of all of the guys in the Air Force as they came around – there were like 200 people there – was really heartfelt.”
“In appreciation, they ended up giving me a ride in an F-16 which was incredible,” he added. “It was the fastest ride of my life.”
The final event of the Freedom Cruise event will be the Blessing of the Ride held at Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners at 3 p.m today.
Todd Chance is the West Michigan Entertainment Concierge for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at tchance@mlive.com or follow him on Facebook , Twitter, Google Plus