The Dream Cruise–Watching History Drive By
August 13, 2008
In less than 2 days, the 14th annual Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise starts outside of Detroit, Michigan. The Dream Cruise, which is walking distance from my home, is this amazing international event that showcases 40,000 classic cars from around the world as far away as New Zealand.
And the cars aren’t just sitting around. No – they’re actually cruising in a never-ending queue of steel and rubber up Woodward Avenue, our main drag, which starts at the foot of the Detroit River and goes north for 20-some miles. Here are some cruising facts:
- The first Dream Cruise was held in 1995 and drew 250,000 people.
- This year, it’s predicted that the Dream Cruise will draw 1.5 million people for the offical event on Saturday (of course people are already out cruising in their fab cars as I write this post on Wednesday).
- Historic Woodward Avenue was the first highway in the United States.
- “Cruising” became popular in the 50s and 60s when teenagers and young adults spent summer evenings driving hot rods and their fathers’ cars up and down Woodward stopping at the various restaurants along the way that catered to this highly mobile crowd who wanted quick meals so they could get back on the road.
- The Big Three automakers used to test their concept cars on Woodward. It was darn near the birthplace of the Mustang and GTO.
- Dream Cruise is a free event held the 3rd Saturday in August.
- Proceeds from the event benefit 100 local charities.
Despite the absurd price of gas, cruisers were adamant that they wanted to see the event continue this year. So for those of us who live along the Dream Cruise route, we’re preparing for the onslaught of visitors and the gridlock that make it almost impossible to drive our own average everyday cars this weekend. In fact, this is the time every summer that many of my neighbors head out of town.
But it’s hard for me to pick up and leave with this excitement in the air. So I’m staying home to savor the Dream Cruise, the crowds and the hassle of trying to get anywhere outside of the neighborhood.
When you think about it, there’s just something about watching a big chunk of history drive by that makes it worth sticking around. Take a peek at this video of last year’s Dream Cruise and you’ll see what I mean:
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5 Responses to “The Dream Cruise–Watching History Drive By”
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Karen - Midlife Coach
Ah, and what 1950s backseat do you remember best? Mine was a ‘59 Chevy Impala…
Oh it’s too bad we don’t live closer — Bruce just loves cars and he would surely be there!
Jane–mine would have been some 1960s backseat
Wendy–3rd week of August, 2009? Be there, be square.
Karen
I also live within walking distance of the Cruise (up near 14 & Woodward) and even though my husband and I aren’t really “car people,” this event is one of the highlights of our summer. It’s fun to watch the event slowly build up steam during the weeks leading up to it as more and more cars start to appear on the streets, and on Cruise day we tote our camp chairs to the end of the block and just watch “classic traffic” for hours. I grew up in the 70s, and while cruising might have been past its peak by then, I still remember going up and down Woodward looking for friends on a Saturday night, and maybe stopping by the old Susie-Q or the Egg & I for a bite to eat. Good times!
Hey Neighbor–I agree the curise is brings back memories of good times, old friends, great music and, of course, the cars! I grew up in the 60s and remember stopping by the burger joint with the totem pole out front. I don’t think we really appreciated back then what a gem we had in summers along Woodward Avenue. I was out there on Saturday and got some wonderful pictures that I’ll post this week. Thanks for stopping by, Julie. Hope you had fun at the cruise!
Karen