By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Don't be surprised to see quantities of "Tin Lizzies" cruising Cass County this weekend.
More than 100 Model "T" Fords from 1909-1927 - Henry Ford's first icon of the auto age - will be tooling around as part of an Aug. 25, 26 and 27 Jamboree - a "hub tour" which returns to base in Paw Paw each day.
Thursday's schedule calls for a "warm-up tour" of approximately 20 minutes taking in rural Paw Paw, including Van Buren County wineries, an evening watermelon party and a safety seminar.
Friday's 85-mile drive south through Decatur brings Tin Lizzies streaming into Sam and Brenda Butler's Tree Farm and Campground in Volinia for a coffee stop that will include animals, a blacksmith, a chainsaw wood carver and a display of handmade furniture, a swing through Jones and lunch in Marcellus combined with a visit to the VFW military museum.
After lunch the Jamboree winds back north through the lakes and vineyards, splitting off into antique shopping in Schoolcraft or going to a hot rod shop.
In the evening the road warriors will partake in an ice cream social at Two Paws Ford in Paw Paw.
Saturday the Tin Lizzies head for Dowagiac to visit Mayor Don Lyons' Heddon Museum and his car collection.
After their tour leads toward Niles to The Old Rugged Cross church in Pokagon, the caravan adjourns to Peacock Ridge golf club near Marcellus for the final banquet.
Saturday's events cover 70 miles.