Cruisers to Honor the Late Kenny Heyl with Memorial Cruise Through Ashland
ASHLAND, OH – This Saturday evening, the rumble of engines and shine of chrome will once again grace the streets of Ashland—not for a show, not for competition, but for something far more heartfelt: remembrance.
Jake Dull, administrator of the local Facebook group Hot Rods Take Back the Streets, is rallying the community to come together in memory of beloved car enthusiast and community figure Kenny Heyl, who would have celebrated his birthday on Saturday, August 2. Dull’s impassioned post quickly gained traction among local cruisers and longtime friends of Kenny.
“Hey gang, in memory of our dear friend Kenny who would be celebrating his birthday tomorrow… let’s get a cruise put together for old time’s sake,” Dull wrote. “I’d love to see the lot jammed full of cruisers for Kenny.”
Participants are invited to gather at 5 p.m. in the Hawkins/Miller parking lot, where countless cruise nights began over the years. The group will then follow a familiar route—down Claremont Avenue, a right onto Main Street, and a turnaround at Smetz’s Tire. It’s a path Kenny himself cruised countless times, a symbolic ride through the heart of Ashland for a man whose heart beat with horsepower and hometown pride.
“It’s more than just the cars,” Dull said. “It’s about the friendships, the memories, the laughs in parking lots, the shared love of the road. Kenny embodied that spirit. This cruise is how we keep it alive.”
Heyl, a pillar of Ashland’s cruising and car show scene, passed away earlier this year, leaving behind a legacy of community service, contagious enthusiasm, and a deep devotion to the people around him. He was known not only for his classic rides but also for his work with events like the Ashland Dream Cruise and “Shop With a Cop,” where he quietly made a difference in the lives of local children.
This weekend’s memorial cruise will also honor fellow cruisers Jack Harrison and Jerry Funk, who, like Kenny, have taken their final ride.
“From the time this photo was taken, we’ve lost three fellow cruisers that I know of,” Dull reflected. “Rest in peace Jack Harrison, Jerry Funk, and Kenny Heyl.”
As the sun sets on Saturday, the streets of Ashland will come alive with the gleam of polished hoods and the roar of engines—not as a farewell, but as a celebration. For Kenny. For Jack. For Jerry. For all the memories that live on with every cruise.
Bring your ride. Bring your stories. Bring your heart.
