Get ready to see over 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, and custom and special interest cars on August 19, 2017, when the Woodward Dream Cruise comes to Detroit. This one-day car cruise event is the world's largest celebration of classic cars and has attracted over one million people. Read more about the Woodward Dream Cruise before attending this spectacular Detroit event.
1. The Woodward Dream Cruise will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017.
From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., thousands of classic cars will drive along a 16-mile stretch on historical Woordward Avenue in Detroit.
2. The cruise will start one mile north of Detroit and pass through several communities.
The Dream Cruise will take place on the historical Woodward Avenue through nine host communities including Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak, in Southeast Michigan.
3. Did you know there are many "high profile" cruise areas?
While the Dream Cruise will take place along a 16-mile stretch, there will be many more popular areas, including 13 Mile & Woodward, 9 Mile & Woodward, and top of the loop in Pontiac, where cars will begin to drive back to Detroit.
4. Do you know what era most of the cars driving down Woodward Avenue are from?
There will be roughly 40,000 to 50,000 classic cars on the roads this weekend, but it is estimated that most of them are pre-1974.
5. Make sure to stay out of the right two lanes nearest to the curb (unless you're showing off your cool car in the procession!)
There will be a lot of classic cars in metro Detroit this Saturday, and tons of people want to see them! Anyone can cruise along the route, but if you don't have a classic car, it is highly advised that you stay out of the two right lanes (curb side).
6. How did the Woodward Dream Cruise tradition begin?
In 1995, the Woodward Dream Cruise started out as a fundraiser for a soccer field in Ferndale. In a few years, the event has turned into the world's largest one-day car event. With the birthplace of the automobile right here in Detroit, it is only right that we celebrate our love for automobiles and how much they have evolved.
7. Did you know Woodward Avenue was named after Judge Augustus B. Woodward?
In 1909, one mile of Woodward Avenue was paved, making it the first paved road in all of America. Judge Augustus B. Woodward played an important role in the reconstruction of Detroit following a fire in 1805. He is also known as one of the founders of the University of Michigan.
8. Did you also know that the Woodward Dream Cruise has a carbon footprint of roughly 400 metric tons of CO2?
According to calculations made by Shelie Miller, an associate professor at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment, the cruise has roughly the same carbon footprint as 20 U.S. households consume in an entire year.
Now that you know some cool facts about the Woodward Dream Cruise, come enjoy it with friends and family this Saturday! The car cruise event is totally free!
There are absolutely no fees to attend the Woodward Dream Cruise! Anyone can watch and even participate with their own classic cars if they want!
Are you going to check out the Woodward Dream Cruise on August 19th? Have you driven in the cruise before? Let us know the best spots to watch these classic cars go by and which hot rod is your favorite!
If you want to learn more about this history of cars, there's no better place to check out than the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, where you'll get to ride in a real Model T!
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