Get Ready to Cruise in Leetsdale

It’s time to shift into gear for the fourth annual Car Cruise.

The car cruise begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and runs until 2 p.m. at Chuck Knox Stadium behind Quaker Valley High School in .

Leetsdale Police Chief James said Saturday’s event is sure to be fun, with plenty of activities and entertainment planned -- not to mention a chance to gawk at about 75 classic cars.

"It's a great event for people to come out and enjoy a good time with their families," he said.

Vehicles from several police and fire departments are expected to join the event, along with Allegheny County Sheriff's Department and SWAT vehicles.

The event is free, but Santucci said donations will be accepted.

“It supports the Leetsdale Neighborhood Watch, the Leetsdale Summer Parks program and the now-affiliated Leetsdale K-9 committee,” the chief said.

Santucci said Leetsdale’s committee is working hard to get a canine team back into the community due to a noticeable influx of drug trafficking over the past year.

“It will behoove us to have (a K-9 officer) again,” he said.

Donations will also help support the annual National Night Out and the police department’s bike-helmet program. Santucci said the program provides kids in the borough’s free bike helmets and bike safety checks.

 Santucci said the day will include musical DJ sounds as well as live music from the Street Level Band, featuring Leetsdale Council's own Vice President Michael Bajsec on saxophone. 

Live demonstrations from area departments are planned, along with field landings from two medical helicopters -- STAT MedEvac and LifeFlight. in Sewickley is donating food.

Other highlights include a 50/50 raffle and a Chinese auction, where for $5 per ticket, a person has the chance to win a 51-inch Samsung plasma television, a Sony blu-ray DVD player or cash prizes ranging from $100 to $200.