A convoy of “mild to wild” vehicles will be rolling down the streets of Cassopolis and Dowagiac later this week, during the second-annual Open Header Cruise Thursday.

The auto cruise, which will include a variety of classic and modern vehicles, will take riders from Thomas J. Mosier Waterwell Drilling on M-60 in Cassopolis to Depot Drive in downtown Dowagiac. Participants will begin lining up at the starting point at 5:30 p.m., and are expected to begin rolling into downtown Dowagiac around 6:40 p.m.

Participants will park at one of the reserved parking spaces on Depot Drive at the end of the ride. Employees with Beeson Street Bar & Grill will treat the drivers and their passengers to free hot dogs and soft drinks, and will be invited to listen to a free concert by Rum Boogie at 7:30 p.m. at Beckwith Park.

More than 50 people have signed up to participate in the ride as of Tuesday morning, said organizer Curt Rohdy, owner of Dowagiac’s John & Curt’s Brake & Alignment. Rohdy hopes between 75 to 100 vehicle owners will participate in the cruise before the drivers head out Thursday.

“It seems there are more people around town talking about the event,” Rohdy said. “I’m hoping we get a lot of people who come out to downtown and line the streets to watch the cars roll into town, just like last year.”

The Open Header Cruise will once again be dedicated to late Dowagiac business owner Ed Kazlauskas, who died of cancer February 2016. Rohdy established the ride last year in memory of his friend, who had talked about organizing a massive vintage automobile ride for years prior to his bout with cancer, Rohdy said.

All proceeds from the cruise will once again be donated to Cass County Cancer Services, a nonprofit that supports county residents undergoing cancer treatment. Last year’s event raised around $3,000 for the organization, Rohdy said.

The fight against cancer is especially personal for Rohdy and his family, he said. In addition to losing Kazlauskas, Rohdy’s sister and sister-in-law succumbed to the disease.

“I don’t know anyone whose lives haven’t been touched in some way by cancer,” he said. “I’m hoping that, by doing this small part, we can do something that will help someone struggling with cancer, to help relieve pressure for someone who is short on cash in order to make sure they can make their doctor’s appointments.

“If we can help even a few people, then the time I’m spending on this event will be well worth it. I’m not doing this for a pat on the back, but to help the people of Cass County.”

People may register for the ride by visiting John & Curt’s Brake & Alignment, Bow Wow Bakery & Bath, Jim D’s Body Shop or from the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce’s office inside the downtown train depot, and paying $20. They may also register onsite the day of the ride for $25.