Cruise Night rolls into Glendale

Around 400 classic cars will be on display Saturday during the 19th annual Cruise Night downtown.

The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and will take over Brand Boulevard from Lexington Drive to Broadway.

“It looks like it will be another successful event,” said city spokesman Tom Lorenz.

City officials scaled down this year’s event as they coped with severe budget pressures. The event had been funded primarily by roughly $103,000 in redevelopment money, but when the state sapped that funding source earlier this year, the city was forced to pony up $42,000 from the General Fund.

As a result, Cruise Night 2012 will take over three city blocks, compared to the five of years past.

But rather than limit the pre-1979 classic car showcase, officials opted to instead trim the entertainment and keep admission free.

Four bands performed last year, but this year’s event features two bands and a DJ.

Creedence Relived, a tribute rock band to Creedence Clearwater Revival, performs at 7 p.m., and Surfin’ Safari performs Beach Boys hits at 9 p.m.

Organizers expect about 35,000 people to attend the event.