The Woodward Dream Cruise, Inc. will hold the 22nd edition of the Woodward Dream Cruise this Saturday, August 20, in the Metropolitan Detroit area. The annual one-day event is the largest of its kind, and it will gather thousands of cars and visitors from all over the U.S. and the world.
The Woodward Dream Cruise is a mass celebration of automobiles, focused mainly on old cars, classics, special editions, muscle cars, hot rods, and more. The event gets its name from the venue where it takes place: the M-1 highway, known for its original name Woodward Avenue.
This year’s edition, as is a tradition by now, will count with the presence of several special events and expos. 22 years later, vehicles from the 80s and 90s are also now part of the roster that will go dream-cruising the 16-mile road this August 20.
The Woodward Dream Cruise: from fundraiser to global event
Nelson House, a plumber from Ferndale, Michigan, first gathered a team of vehicle enthusiasts to hold an event that captured the essence of the golden automotive era. The Dream Cruise was conceived as a one-time thing to raise funds for a public soccer field in House’s community, a small satellite city of the Metro Detroit area. With help from the Mayor, the first Woodward Dream Cruise was held with an estimated 250,000 people in attendance.
Needless to say, the Cruise was a massive success and Ferndale got more than enough money to build the soccer field.
Unintentionally, House had created a beautiful event that would transcend everything he and his team had ever imagined. Recent editions of the celebration have brought over $50 million in revenue to the struggling city.
What to expect at the 2016 Woodward Dream Cruise
The Motor City did not get its nickname for no reason, as the Michigan metropolis serves as the headquarters for several automotive manufacturers like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.
Naturally, an event of such magnitude attracts the main automakers in town, with all three holding special events at the Woodward Dream Cruise. Ford has an established showing called the Mustang Alley, centered on showcasing the iconic American vehicle. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, on the other hand, will try something new this year with the drag racing event “Roadkill Nights” at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac.
Furthermore, General Motors will host a celebration of the 50th birthday of the Chevrolet Camaro, an event that aligns with the introduction of the first Camaro built to the National Historic Vehicle Association. The Grenada Gold-coated classic will be displayed in a glass case on Saturday, August 20.
The Woodward Dream Cruise is free to attend, but participants have to pay a fee to enter their cars in the event. The one-day exclusive event will receive an expected 1 million visitors from 9 a.m. until nine p.m. in all 16 miles of Woodward Avenue.
Source: The Detroit News
