Woodward Dream Cruise kicks off this weekend: What to know CBS Detroit

Table Of Content

• Woodward Dream Cruise 2023: Mega gallery of classics, off-roaders and more
• Over a million spectators are expected along Woodward Avenue this year. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
• Dream Cruise events Friday and Saturday
• ‘Thank God it’s back’ -- Metro Detroit welcomes the return of the Woodward Dream Cruise
• WATCH: WXYZ-TV's 2022 Woodward Dream Cruise Special
• MORE: Woodward Dream Cruise 2023 Dream Cruise guide for parking, timing, and events

"We have a car culture here. You can’t go to a movie theater, you can’t go bowling, you can’t go to a bar or restaurant, you can’t go to a baseball game,” he said. That means no Mustang Alley, no cruise-in concerts, no official car shows and no Roadkill Nights in Pontiac. There are numerous event sponsors for the 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise, including presenting sponsor Ford Motor Co. Others include the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Wild Bill's Tobacco. The cruise runs along a 16-mile route through Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge and Pontiac in Oakland County. "I was born and raised on Woodward. I was born on 13 and Woodward. I lived down by the zoo growing up and I wouldn't be anywhere else on this day."

Woodward Dream Cruise 2023: Mega gallery of classics, off-roaders and more

The annual Woodward Dream Cruise started in 1995 and now attracts cars and people from all over the globe. We're revving our engines, getting ready for the cruise. In addition to the photo galleries, videos, and news you'll find here, watch for live coverage Dream Cruise week on 7 Action News.

Over a million spectators are expected along Woodward Avenue this year. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

There are all sorts of events throughout the weekend, starting Friday. "It's an heirloom. My grandson who's got a family of his own right now, the cars in the will for him to get it so it's gonna stay in the family for a long time." "I bought it as a project. Completely gutted shell. It may look ratty and original patina but it's got a new stroker motor, trasmission. And it goes on an 1000-mile trip every summer so it's a very reliable vehicle."

Dream Cruise events Friday and Saturday

The Woodward Dream Cruise is an annual automotive enthusiast event held in the northern suburbs of Detroit. Held each year on the third Saturday in August, the Cruise runs along Woodward Avenue, a major thoroughfare in the region, from Ferndale to Pontiac. It costs $40 to participate and the registration link can be found here. Participants can pre-register or sign up on the day of the race at the high school.

Car enthusiasts can enjoy some classic cars before the main event from noon to 7 p.m. Even though the Dream Cruise has not officially started, there is no shortage of classic cars to watch. Today is no exception as tailgaters are lined up along the route and everything from muscle cars to old-time classics have hit the street.

A rare look inside the city of Detroit's classic car collection

2020 Woodward Dream Cruise Set For Aug. 15 Canceled Due To Coronavirus - CBS News

2020 Woodward Dream Cruise Set For Aug. 15 Canceled Due To Coronavirus.

Posted: Mon, 29 Jun 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

It’s going to be tough stopping a 30,000-vehicle strong mass from using a public street. The cities won’t be giving out parking permits or allowing folks to congregate. However, they also won’t be giving out tickets just for cruising either. "Collaborating with the Woodward Dream Cruise is very important to Ford Motor Company because we strive to contribute and give back in meaningful ways to the communities where we live, work... and cruise." We assume the police are going to stop that sort of activity, the assembling.

Other related events happening this weekend

As we say below, we expect the traffic jam to be thick on Saturday, just like it always is. If you decide to get out of your car and patronize some of the local business, please do--that's one of their biggest complaints of the weekend--but please wear a mask. And look for me in a '63 Pontiac StarChief, or recently acquired 1989 Merecedes-Benz 560SEL. Out-of-town visitors are encouraged to stay at one of the hotel sponsors for the cruise.

On Woodward Avenue from 8 Mile Road to Downtown Pontiac. To ride, look out for RED SMART and FAST bus stops on Woodward Avenue. People all over the world, all over the country come out to be here today,” said Townsend. Townsend said he had some extra time to get it in tip top show condition, since last year’s cruise was cancelled because of the pandemic. From noon to 7 p.m., live music will be performed in the arena next to the biergarten.

Parking will be very limited in communities along the parade route, so allow for some extra time and patience. Parking can be found at lots and structures in Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham and Pontiac, space permitting. Street parking is another option but take note of time restrictions and costs to avoid tickets and/or towing. Attendees can hop on a free SMART dream cruise shuttle from 8 Mile to Pontiac. Passengers can board at any RED SMART or FAST bus stops along Woodward.

Tens of thousands of cars will ride down M-1 in a celebration of classic and muscle car culture. Over 1.5 million vintage enthusiasts from around the world attend the annual procession as cars honk and drive down Woodward Ave. The cruise is one of the world's largest automotive events, drawing millions of people and 40,000 classic cars each year.

These include Cambria, Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn Express, and Marriott. The event takes place on the third weekend of August. It originally began as a fundraiser for a soccer field in Ferndale. The inaugural event, hosted by Nelson House and other volunteers, brought in more than 250,000 people, 10 times the expected amount. Free SMART shuttle busses will run on Saturday from 9 a.m.

It typically attracts over 1 million visitors and attendees, as well as over 40,000 unique vehicles. Automotive enthusiasts in metro Detroit better gear up, as the world’s largest one-day celebration of classic cars returns to Woodward Avenue. We kicked things off up above with muscle cars, classics and hot rods, since those make up the largest part of the collection. Everything from pre-war American cars to 1960s fire-breathers and custom-built street machines are included in the gallery up top.