Summer nights in Niles would perhaps not be the same without the traditional Forever Young Car Cruisers. The show will return again this summer, after city council members voted 5-3 in favor of an application for the event Monday night during a city council meeting.
The event is scheduled to take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays from June 7 to Aug. 30.
But before they cast their votes, council members displayed some skepticism about the cost of the event and its location. Event organizer Rex Carpenter had proposed that council members waive the cost to the event. A city council report stated that the projected cost for the city to fund the event would be approximately $8,816.50. City Administrator Ric Huff said those funds cover the money needed for road closures, barricades and some electricity.
Mark Milhander created the car cruise eight years ago. Carpenter took over organizing the show in 2016. On Monday, he told council members the benefits of the event could be seen in the number of people drawn to downtown Niles during the event. The show draws on average 180 cars, which subsequently aids the businesses, which get more customers as a result, Carpenter argued.
“They [downtown businesses] have come to count on Wednesday night because for some, Wednesday is their biggest night,” he said.
Council members seemed to agree that the car show is a benefit to the area and while most supported the event itself, some asked Carpenter to consider the cost, which will be supported by taxpayers.
Mayor Nick Shelton said it would be less costly to have the event in Riverfront Park.
“We are talking about almost $10,000 worth of costs in taxpayers’ dollars associated with this event and we could save over $6,000 by moving it to Riverfront Park,” Shelton said. “I am in support of having a car show, not in support of having it come from the general fund.”
In city councilors’ report, they projected that it would cost approximately $3,819.79 to host the show in Riverfront Park.
Carpenter said that during the 2015 show, which took place in Riverfront Park, a car was damaged due to the terrain. Having the cars on Main Street assures a paved, secure place for the cars to park.
“I want to keep the car show on Main Street,” Carpenter said. “My ultimate goal is that I would love Niles to considered what Goshen used to be in the ‘70s — the car cruise capital of the Midwest. That is what I would love to do is to get people to come up to Niles like that.”
Council then questioned what Carpenter would do with the proceeds if they agreed to waive the cost of the event.
Carpenter said that since the event would not cost him, he would be able to allow people to participate for free. That way more people overall would want to come to the show.
“If they have to pay, they are going to go elsewhere,” Carpenter said.
Council members suggested that in the future Carpenter register as a nonprofit organization.
In an interview after the motion passed, Carpenter said he was grateful for the council members’ support of the downtown tradition.
Carpenter said those interested in the cruise only have to show up to participate. The cruise will take place on Main Street from Fifth Street to Second Street; and from Sycamore to Cedar Street; and Third Street from Sycamore to Cedar Street.

Also Monday:
• City council members approved a mobile food vendor ordinance, which will be applicable in 60 days. The full details of the ordinance are expected to be available on the Niles city website.
At least one condition is that mobile food vendors be at least 75 feet away from a brick and mortar restaurant. At this time a cost for an application has not been decided. City Administrator Ric Huff said that a cost should be decided by the end of April.
• Council members announced that they want to hear public comment from citizens on the proposed electric rate increase. A public hearing regarding the matter will take place at 5:55 p.m. April 10 at the Niles Fire Station Complex, 1345 E. Main St.
The rate has been proposed on average to increase about 5.2 percent, which officials have said takes into account the three tiers of customer classes, including residential, commercial and industrial.