Compromise revives Roselle Cruise Nights

Roselle business owners, officials and organizers of Cruise Nights reached an agreement this week that will bring the hot rod event back to Roselle for a fifth year.

Cruise Nights will run from the first Friday in June to the final Friday in September. The free event attracts up to 175 vintage, muscle and antique cars each weekend and offers free musical entertainment and giveaways.

“I’m glad we were able to keep it in town,” said Glenn Rygel, Cruise Night director.

The event initially was canceled last month after some store owners complained traffic was impeding business and Cruise Night organizers said Roselle imposed too many stipulations a result.

Some businesses spoke in favor of Cruise Night, saying it brings customers through their doors. Others, however, said the event keeps customers away due to heavy traffic and blocked parking. Because of that, village officials anticipated up to $4,000 in police overtime might be needed to police traffic and said Cruise Night organizers must foot the bill.

But this week Rygel met with business owners, Trustee Barbara Rendall-Hochstadt and Trustee-elect Wayne Domke, and they ironed out a compromise.

“It was a really nice meeting and everyone wanted to work together,” said Rygel.

Cruise Night will continue on Main Street in downtown, but will move 30 parking spots east toward Park Street. It also will reach a bit further on Prospect Street, Rygel added.

He said Mayor Gayle Smolinski was instrumental in allowing the event to use the Main Street Plaza for about 14 additional parking spaces, keeping capacity similar to previous years with less disruption to businesses.

“I think they identified some parameters they hoped would work for everyone,” Village Administrator Jeff O’Dell said. “And the new layout has created more traffic flow at both ends, so we don’t believe we would need an officer to specifically police that event.”

The DJ, live bands and giveaways offered at last year’s Cruise Nights were funded by 41 sponsors who paid $190 each. Rygel said he has five more businesses requesting to join, so he hopes the event will continue in top form.