2023 Woodward Dream Cruise to return next weekend
Automotive enthusiasts in metro Detroit better gear up, as the world’s largest one-day celebration of classic cars returns to Woodward Avenue.
The annual Woodward Dream Cruise started in 1995 and now attracts cars and people from all over the globe.
What is the Woodward Dream Cruise?
According to the Woodward Dream Cruise website, the event celebrates classic car culture and is the world’s largest one-day celebration for classic vehicles. It typically attracts over 1 million visitors and attendees, as well as over 40,000 unique vehicles.
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.
When is the cruise?
The 2023 cruise is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where is the cruise taking place?
The cruise takes place on Woodward Avenue and stretches over a 16-mile radius. Vehicle drivers go through nine participating communities in Oakland County, including Pontiac, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale.
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Is the Woodward Dream Cruise free?
The event is free to the public to both watch and participate in, however, participants without a classic car are asked to stay out of the two right-hand lanes. There is also public parking available near the cruise route.
Out-of-town visitors are encouraged to stay at one of the hotel sponsors for the cruise. These include Cambria, Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn Express, and Marriott. Additional locations are recommended here.
Who are the event sponsors?
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.
Is anything else scheduled for the same day?
Prior to the cruise, the annual Cruise in Shoes 5K Fun Run/Walk is scheduled to take place at 7:30 a.m. The race will begin at Yorba Linda Boulevard in Royal Oak and wind through several local neighborhoods before concluding at Shrine High School.
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.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metro Detroit welcomes back annual Woodward Dream Cruise
