August 12, 2024 – On Sunday September 7, Decatur will host the 17th annual “Cruise 11 to Remember 9-11” event.
Decatur’s Central Park is the location of the car and bike show with a DJ, food, and a remembrance cruise. Any vehicle may enter at the event. Cruise in registration begins at 8am on the West side of Central Park. Registration is $11 at the event. Call 217-791-1385 for more information. Admission to the event is FREE. People are encouraged to come and view the amazing entries and talk with their owners.
Cruise 11 is sponsored by History of the Heartland and serves as a fundraiser to collect donations for the Doug Hagen Memorial Scholarship Fund at MacArthur High School. The scholarship is an annual $500 award given to a MHS senior. Hagen was the 1964 MHS class President and was killed in action in Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Unique awards are given to those in the Top Ten. Ayn Owens, creator of the event, says “Cruise 11 has raised tens of thousands of dollars for various military and veteran causes. We have provided funds for our community’s World War 2 Memorial, Christmas Stockings were sent to the Troops, boxes for active-duty troops and basic needs of local veterans.” She continues “We are proud to continue honoring a military cause in our 17th year by supporting the annual Hagen scholarship fund.”
There will be food by 343 BBQ available for purchase on the south side of the park. At 2:00pm awards and 911 recognition service at Central stage.
Following the ceremony will be the 11-mile BG Nevitt Memorial yellow ribbon “Cruise.” Participants will be given yellow ribbons to show their support of our Troops, thank our Veterans and remember the tragedy of 9-11. The Cruise will begin at the corner of West Main & Merchant streets and go West on Main Street to the Decatur Conference Center and will return on Main to downtown.
