Car buffs are invited to Slash Ashmun

NEWS RELEASE

SLASHING ASHMUN

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Slashing Ashmun returns on Friday, July 1

It might be considered Sault Ste. Marie’s very own litmus test. Have you ever slashed Ashmun?

If that question leaves you puzzled, you didn’t spend your youth in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Since the 1950s, teenagers with access to a car could tell a story or two about their time slashing Ashmun.

Thanks to an organized effort, you can relive the glory days of your youth or first-timers can check that experience off the bucket list when an the 2nd Annual Slashing Ashmun returns to Sault Ste. Marie on Friday, July 1.

Jeannie O’Connor, organizer of the event, best explains what slashing Ashmun meant to a teen in Sault Ste. Marie.

“Every Friday night when I was growing up, downtown was the place to be. There was no rhyme or reason to it. I was there every Friday night if I had a car and you would just drive up and down Ashmun Street to see what everyone else was doing,” she explains, likening it to what you see in the classic movie American Graffiti.

Cruising will begin at 7 p.m. and encompass Ashmun Street between Easterday Avenue and Portage Avenue, as well as throughout the downtown where many businesses will also be open late.

Last year, O’Connor and Don “String” Kelly worked side-by-side on an event they initially thought would bring a few dozen cruisers and ended up bringing an estimated 500 vehicles on a slow parade down memory lane.

“We thought it would just be a few of our classmates getting together, so we posted it on Facebook and within 24 hours there were a hundred people saying they would show up and by two weeks later, it had grown to 300 people and it literally just took on a life of its own,” she recalls.

This year, O’Connor is working alongside Justin Knepper, Downtown Development Authority Director, and Linda Hoath, Sault CVB Executive Director, to promote the event.

Just like last year, it is an open invitation to a gathering that doesn’t warrant a lot of organization to still be a great time.

The Sault High Pom Pon squad will host a car wash again, the Lunch Box lunch wagon will have snacks available, and Eagle 95.1 radio will have the classic hits playing to provide a musical backdrop.

Sadly, one thing will be different this year.

Kelly passed away unexpectedly shortly after last year’s event.

In his memory, organizers will be selling a Slashing Ashmun commemorative button with all proceeds to go toward his favourite cause: the creation of a dog park in Sault Ste. Marie.

“He had worked for two years to try and get a dog park up and running,” O’Connor explained. “He was a big lover of animals.”

Buttons will cost $5 and are available at a variety of downtown locations, which can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

Simply search the words Slashing Ashmun on Facebook for more details.

Otherwise, the only way to participate is simply to drive into Downtown Sault Ste. Marie on Friday night and join the fun.

Cars can be decorated or not, although O’Connor encouraged people to show class pride by having their graduating class year visible on their vehicle.

Otherwise, just show up and get busy Slashing Ashmun.

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