(WWJ) Woodward Avenue will be jam-packed with classic cars and people for the largest one-day car culture celebration in the world, happening right here in Metro Detroit.
The official hours for the Woodward Dream Cruise are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.15, but it was already getting pretty busy about 24 hours ahead of that time.
The event's official route spans a 16-mile stretch along Woodward Avenue, with its southern boundary anchored at 8 Mile Road in Ferndale, and running north to its terminus in Downtown Pontiac. The cruise encompasses nine participating Oakland County communities: Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, and Pontiac.
WWJ Newsradio 950 will be broadcasting your local traffic reports live from the Dream Cruise, Friday afternoon, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by and see us outside Como's, at the corner of 9 Mile and Woodward in Ferndale. >>LISTEN LIVE!
Dream Cruise: What's it all about?
The Dream Cruise first started most than three decades ago as a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale. Nearly three decades later, and it has become the largest single-day car event in the world.
Via WoodwardDreamCruise.com: "In August 1995, Nelson House and a group of volunteers looked to relive and recreate the nostalgic heydays of the 50s and 60s, when youth, music and Motor City steel roamed Woodward Avenue, America's first highway. That year, 250,000 people participated—nearly ten times the number expected. The rest, as they say, is history."
These days, the beloved Metro Detroit tradition draws about 1.5 million people to Oakland County, with around 40,000 cars taking to Woodward Avenue, and some cruisers visiting from as far away as Australia and Japan.
WWJ's Charlie Langton has been been having a blast talking to folks talking about their cars.
James Franks of Mount Clemens has a 1949 "Ford Shoebox" that he bought in honor of his mother. That's the year that she was born.
Franks said this event isn't just about the vehicles; it's about the people, too.
"It's great, man! Seeing all the smiles on their faces from the cars going by — cars they have never seen before. Like, out-of-state European cars, you know, all the cars that come from, like, Georgia, and all over the world. They're so badass, man!"
Chris Fisher of Shelby Township has a 2017 Chevy Camaro SS that he said pretty much only drives at the Dream Cruise.
"I've owned it for about ten years," Fisher said. "And it mostly sits in the garage during the winter. And it's a convertible, gotta have the convertible, automatic."
If it rains this year (which it may, later Saturday, according to AccuWeather, "That's alright! We'll put the top up!"
Essential Dream Cruise pro tips
- Arrive Early: Official hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but prime spectating spots in Royal Oak and Birmingham typically fill up by around 7 a.m.
- Ride the Free Shuttle: Parking will difficult to put it mildly. Skip driving through gridlock by using the free, air-conditioned SMART WDC Shuttle running along Woodward between Ferndale and Pontiac.
- Pick a Side & Stick to It: Avoid driving across Woodward's median during peak hours; cross-traffic grinds to a halt. Use parallel routes (I-75 or Coolidge Hwy) to bypass heavy congestion.
- Observe Lane Etiquette: Classics and hot rods stick to the two right curb lanes to perform for crowds, while daily commuters should use the inner left lanes.
- Pack Smart: Bring folding lawn chairs, sunscreen, and plenty of water—August weather in Michigan is hot and humid.
