(WWJ) Nothing stops the Woodward Dream Cruise…not even a cancellation.
Car lovers are demonstrating their true resilience and dedication by bringing their classic automobiles out in full force despite organizers making the decision to call off the official event over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
There's a new twist this year.
The Oakland County Republican Party (OCRP) is holding the Make America Great Again (MAGA) Classic Car Cruise from 12pm to 4pm Saturday on Woodward Avenue for supporters of President Trump and senator candidate John James.
Rocky Raczkowski, Chairman of the OCRP, said another purpose of the event is to rally behind police.
There is no need to have a classic car to take part in the cruise. Any vehicle permitted to be driven on a taxpayer funded highway will do, he said.
"With the traditional Dream Cruise canceled due to our current situation, we felt the road was wide open for OCRP to host our own MAGA Classic Car Cruise. Best of all our MAGA Classic Car event will be run right on Woodward Avenue, the traditional route for cruisers," Raczkowski said in the press release.
He also encouraged any participants to stop by the Oakland County Republican Party Office on Woodward near Square Lake in Bloomfield Hills to pick up Trump 2020 signs and merchandise.
Organizers said all cruisers must stay inside their cars, practice proper social distancing and adhere to all guidelines put in place by Governor Whitmer and the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Woodward Dream Cruise Inc. made a nearly unanimous, but "difficult" decision to scrap the official event in late June, after a number of cities said cruising-related festivities would be a no-go in their community. It is just one of many iconic Metro Detroit festivals and traditions called off due to the pandemic, including what would have been the first summertime North American International Auto Show and Arts Beats and Eats.
The Woodward Dream Cruise was started in 1995 by Nelson House, a late Ferndale resident, as a fundraiser to build a soccer field for young people in the community. Nine cities take part now; Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak, making it one of the largest cruising events in North America.
Organizers of the Woodward Dream Cruise said they hope to be back in action in 2021.
WWJ will be streaming all of the classic cars on Woodward Saturday. You can watch all the action unfold on WWJ's Facebook page.
