COOPERSVILLE, MI (WHTC) – Singer Del Shannon who is best known for his 1961 #1 hit “Runaway” was born in Coopersville, Michigan in Ottawa County. Shannon committed suicide on February 8, 1990, killing himself with a .22-caliber rifle at his home in Santa Clarita, California.
For 26 years the city of Coopersville has been holding the Annual Del Shannon Days Car Show, one of the largest car shows in West Michigan. The Coopersville Rotary says Shannon loved cars and the show also benefits kids in Ottawa County.
The NEOFORUM (Northeast Ottawa Forum) and Del Shannon Scholarship Fund receives in total over $19,000 from the event. The Scholarship Fund is for anyone going into the arts program in college. NEO FORUM places a police officer and a counselor in Coopersville Schools.
Friday, August 12 kicks off the car show and cruise at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 13 features the car show, entertainment, craft fair, food vendors and a pancake breakfast.
