WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE~ AUGUST 2019

Woodward Avenue (M-1) is 27 miles long and it runs from Detroit to Pontiac, Michigan. It is sometimes referred to as “Detroit’s Main Street.” Although known for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise (WDC) it’s history includes more than that. It is listed as an Automotive Heritage Trail by the Federal Highway Administration. Much of the US auto industry grew up along it’s path. “In 1909, the first mile of concrete highway in the world was built between Six and Seven Mile roads and in 1919 the nation’s first three-color traffic light appeared on the thoroughfare” according to michigan.gov. .

In the 1950’s and 1960’s “Woodwording “became popular as cruisers gathered at local restaurants, cruised Woodward, and drag raced on the avenue. Rumor has it that engineers from Ford and GM would take cars out late at night and race against each other.

 Today Woodward is best known for the “Woodward Dream Cruise” ... always held the third Saturday in August between the cities of Ferndale and Pontiac ... rain or shine. For the WDC you just show up. There is no registration or fees just drive onto Woodward and you are in. Woodward is four lanes on either side. Cruisers are supposed to drive in the two lanes closest to the curb with through traffic in the other lanes. It gets mixed up with regular cars in with the cruisers. The numbers thrown around suggest between 30,000-50,000 cruisers and somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 million attendees. Sounds crowded? It is but very manageable. 

In the 1950’s and 1960’s “Woodwording “became popular as cruisers gathered at local restaurants, cruised Woodward, and drag raced on the avenue. Rumor has it that engineersfrom Ford and GM would take cars out late at night and race against each other.Today Woodward is best known for the “Woodward Dream Cruise” ... always held the third Saturday in August between the cities of Ferndale and Pontiac ... rain or shine. For the WDC you just show up. There is no registration or fees just drive onto Woodward and you are in. Woodward is four lanes on either side. Cruisers are supposed to drive in the two lanes closest to the curb with through traffic in the other lanes. It gets mixed up with regular cars in with the cruisers. The numbers thrown around suggest between 30,000-50,000 cruisers and somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 million attendees. Sounds crowded? It is but very manageable. 

 Finding a spot to park and watch it can be tough. I saw parking offered at as high as $75.00. Cruising around I eventually found a free space right on Woodward and made fast friends with some local car guys. Many car clubs and groups have reserved space along the route, as well as, manufactures, and vendors. So the show is along both sides of the road too.

You see cars that you know and some that you probably don’t. There are even some really weird things sprinkled in like a huge BJ’s Club motorized shopping cart, an upside down van, there was what appeared to be a 12 seat stretched Pontiac station wagon, and as I was backing out of my parking spot in my rear view mirror I saw a beach umbrella coming down the road. It turned out to be a motorized picnic table complete with picnickers and coolers.

You see cars that you know and some that you probably don’t. There are even some really weird things sprinkled in like a huge BJ’s Club motorized shopping cart, an upside down van, there was what appeared to be a 12 seat stretched Pontiac station wagon, and as I was backing out of my parking spot in my rear view mirror I saw a beach umbrella coming down the road. It turned out to be a motorized picnic table complete with picnickers and coolers. 
 

Car and Driver included it in a list of “10 Events to See Before You Die.” I totally agree!!! What an awesome week. It is an easy drive ... two drivers in a car could do it in one day. A little

long for a solo pilot. I made a stop on the way out, in Lockport, N.Y. and took a short boat ride on the Erie Canal . On the return home I stopped at Niagara Falls. Both stops broke the ride up into easy segments. Would I go back? You bet!!!