"Everybody says that there's nobody meaner than the little old lady from Pasadena." Love that old Jan and Dean song? Wish you could step back in time and see that shiny red Super Stock Dodge tear up Colorado Boulevard? You can. Just go to Detroit for the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise. You won't see drag races, but you can get your fill of classic cars as they wend their way down Woodward. Here is a Q-and-A about this retro-fun event.
What Are the Woodward Dream Cruise Logistics?
The cruise starts at the Detroit end of Woodward in Ferndale, Michigan, at Nine Mile (that's about nine miles from downtown, and its the main drag of Ferndale). Cruisers head out to Orchard Lake, Michigan, hitting cities of Royal Oak, Bloomfield Township, Berkley, and Pontiac. The event kicks off on Thursday, August 16, in Ferndale at 3 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. There are events in the other cities on Friday, August 17, and Saturday, August 18. Car parades, shows, and events run all day Friday and Saturday in all five cities, so check the cruise schedule times and places.
Besides Old Cars, What Else Is There?
Up and down Woodward, there are vehicle demonstrations, special performances, auto shows, and car-themed activities. There are street dances with retro music, parties, costume events, kids' activities, and food. Lots of restaurants and vendors participate, and there will be '50s and '60s nostalgia galore.
How Did the Woodward Dream Cruise Start?
Seventeen years ago, a group of folks wanted to raise money to build a soccer field in Ferndale. They figured that since Detroit was the Motor City, it would be fitting to do a car-themed event. Woodward Avenue was the perfect staging area. Back in the day, the Woodward strip was a popular spot to "cruise" (aka drive very slowly and show off one's wheels). Nelson House and a volunteer group looked to bring back these fun times. At the first event in 1995, a whopping 250,000 guests showed up (planners were only expecting about 25,000). The 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise is expected to draw 1.5 million people. It's one of the largest of its kind.
What About the Cars?
Each year, the Woodward Dream Cruise showcases roughly 50,000 classic cars of every make, model, and era. They come from all over North America and the globe: New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the former Soviet, and Canada. From West Coast to east from north and south, all roads lead to Detroit in late August.
