Rum Boogie will be the next featured act with Beckwith Park Summer Concert series this Thursday in downtown Dowagiac, in conjunction with the second-annual Open Header Cruise in memory of late Dowagiac business owner Ed Kazlauskas.

The concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Beckwith Park, is being underwritten by Chemical Bank, Honor Credit Union and Huntington Bank as part of the Downtown Development Authority’s summer concert series.

“Members of Rum Boogie have wanted to play our summer concert series for some time,” said Vickie Phillipson, DDA program director.  “With one of the group’s lead musicians being 1975 Dowagiac graduate Randy Pompey, this seemed like the perfect time to feature the band, which is best known for its 1960s and 70s classic rock.  Many of the participants of the Open Header Cruise are likely to remember Randy from their high school days.”

As Rum Boogie takes the stage, music and classic auto enthusiasts are sure to feel like the sound track of their lives is being performed, as memories from their teens to their early 30s come flooding back.

This is the second year for Curt Rohdy, owner of John & Curt’s Brake & Alignment, has orgaznied the “open header” in memory of his good friend.

“Curt co-chaired Dowagiac’s annual Rod & Roll Classic Auto Show with Ed for years,” Phillipson said.  “Two of Dowagiac’s biggest car buffs, Eddie and Curt put their hearts and souls into growing the classic auto show to nearly 250 entries.  During the early years, Ed, then owner of Jim D’s Body Shop, and his wife, Susan, owner of The Marshall Shoppe, headed up the event, later teaming up with good friends, Curt and his wife, Deb, who owns Bow Wow Bakery & Bath.”

The open header cruise is something Rohdy and his friend had talked about doing years ago, but never did before Ed’s passing. He said proceeds from the memorial cruise will again be donated to the Cass County Cancer Service in Ed’s honor.

Participants of the Open Header Cruise, who will gather at 5:30 p.m. at Thomas J. Mosier Waterwell Drilling on M-60 in Cassopolis, will be escorted into town by law enforcement.

Rohdy anticipates 50 to 75 classic vehicles will be featured in the cruise that will culminate downtown.  Phillipson said part of the Depot Drive parking lot, adjacent to the railroad tracks, will be reserved for participants of the cruise, who will swing into the central business district around 6:40 p.m., gathering then for the Rum Boogie concert.

Beeson Street Bar & Grill, along with an anonymous donor, will be treating auto participants to hot dogs and soft drinks.  Honor Credit Union, where Ed’s sister, Janie Reifenberg is branch manager, will also be on site, serving complimentary popcorn.

Music enthusiasts who attend Thursday’s concert are encouraged to bring lawn chairs with them.