Petaluma gears up for a full day of classic cars and nostalgia as the 17th annual Cruisin’ the Blvd Car Show and Cruise takes over downtown streets this Saturday, May 18. According to the Petaluma Police Department, which released a special event notification, the chrome and rubber celebration will force road closures from 5 am to 8 pm to accommodate the fleet of vintage vehicles.

With engines starting at 10:00 am and the cruise rolling out at 4 pm, locals and visitors should brace for a day of detours. Several downtown arteries will be sealed off, including Petaluma Blvd. North and Water St, American Alley, and Telephone Alley sections. Despite the anticipated congestion, the Police Department remains committed to steering the public clear of any traffic woes and urging drivers' patience.

The event will highlight a procession of glistening classic cars exiting D Street with options to extend their journey up to 10th Street, then turning onto B Street to rejoin the festivities at B and 4th Streets. Restrictions on D Street are set to tighten by 4 pm, whereby eastbound and westbound traffic will squish into one lane in each direction, and westbound traffic on D St will get the red light from Northbound Petaluma Blvd S.

While the highlight of the occasion is the cruise, starting at 4 pm, where classic cars will parade through the city's historical heart, disruptions will ripple through the roads much earlier. The Petaluma Police Department, managing the traffic flow, is banking on the community's cooperation to navigate the event smoothly. They remind those who can't steer clear of the area to buckle up for a potentially sluggish journey.