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Your guide to the 2023 woodward dream cruise: what you need to know, dream cruise takes place each year on the third saturday in august.

Ken Haddad , Digital Managing Editor

DETROIT – The 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise is Saturday, August 19. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Woodward Dream Cruise is the world’s largest one-day celebration of classic car culture that attracts over 1 million visitors, and more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles.

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The Woodward Dream Cruise takes place each year on the third Saturday in August, and runs between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

What is the Dream Cruise?

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.

Where is the Dream Cruise route?

The Woodward Dream Cruise spans much of the avenue: classic vehicle drivers cruise through nine participating communities (Pontiac, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale) in Oakland County, Michigan. Spectators and cruisers travel to Metro Detroit, the birthplace of the American automobile, to participate in an event that celebrates all things automotive.

How much does it cost?

There are no fees to cruise in the event or to watch. Anyone can participate although, those not driving a classic car are asked to stay out of the two right lanes nearest to the curb.

Where do folks park?

The Woodward Dream Cruise is a spectacular experience to drive, or, merely watch and marvel from the sidelines. Public parking is available along or near the cruise route.

Public safety info

The Woodward Dream Cruise is an alcohol-free, family-oriented event. As public safety is paramount, cruisers are asked to obey all rules of the road.

Police departments from each community patrol on foot, horseback and vehicles during the Cruise to ensure a safe and family-friendly environment for everyone. A team of amateur radio operators also serve as additional “eyes and ears” of law enforcement officials along the Cruise route.

More info at the official website.

Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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Dream Cruisers get an early start up and down Woodward

Cruise History

Saturday, august 17, 2024.

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Woodward Dream Cruise 2023: Mega gallery of classics, off-roaders and more

Come for the classics, stay for the offbeat oddities.

We just spent the entire day in and around the Motor City enjoying the automotive sights and sounds of the Woodward Dream Cruise. According to the event's website , the Dream Cruise attracts over a million people every year to see a collection of "more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles." That's a lot of people and a lot of vehicles. And if you couldn't be there this year in person, perhaps our galleries from this year's festivities are the next best thing.

We kicked things off up above with muscle cars, classics and hot rods, since those make up the largest part of the collection. Everything from pre-war American cars to 1960s fire-breathers and custom-built street machines are included in the gallery up top.

Below you'll see galleries of modern performance vehicles, trucks and off-roaders and, finally, the strangest sights we were able to point our camera lenses at. And by strange, we mean upside-down vans, boats on wheels and tiny mobiles with men in hats perched atop. Enjoy!

Woodward 2023: Trucks and off-road vehicles:

Woodward 2023: Modern performance and luxury cars

Woodward 2023: Offbeat oddities:

Featured Gallery Woodward 2023: Classics and hot rods

• Convertible
• Minivan/Van
• Diesel Vehicles
• Off-Road Vehicles
• Special and Limited Editions
• Performance
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Past, present and future on display at 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise

As a Woodward Dream Cruise virgin until Saturday, I had limited experience with the car event — mostly annoyance at the traffic snarls it creates or an occasional nod at a particularly cool car. 

Saturday, however, I left the air-conditioned comfort of my own car and made my way through the madness. 

People from all over began to line the streets in tents and folding chairs as early as 7 a.m. and by 11, a rainbow of cars edged down Woodward bumper to bumper. On the sidewalk, dog walkers stopped to talk with car owners, strangers traded stories about their own vehicles, and kids of all ages wriggled their way through the crowd and pulled on their parents' fingers to ensure they were paying adamant attention to the parade of traffic. 

The historic event began almost 30 years ago, in 1995. Organizers initially expected to draw around 30,000-40,000 visitors from metro Detroit, but were shocked when over 250,000 came to the inaugural cruise. 

'I'm a big union guy': Jay Leno talks unions, EVs before driving 1K horsepower Dodge Demon in Dream Cruise

It is now the largest single-day classic car event in the world. 

Doug Green started drag racing on Woodward Avenue when he was 15. He officially got a license two years later, but says his privileges were revoked within a year because he had accumulated so many tickets from his hobby. 

"My insurance was crazy for a while, but it didn't stop me," he said with a laugh.

Now 73, Green has made the 3½-hour drive from Mackinaw City to Detroit every year since it began, missing just once because he got sick.

"It just brings me back to good times," he said.

Different car companies stood at their booths, advertising their latest models while owners of previous models polished, cleaned and discussed them.

Not all cruisers appreciate the same things, however, and some take great pride in their vehicle's sparkle and shine, while others, especially those with so-called "rat-rides," boast about their car's original design.

Brad Pepperell, 53, of Ferndale, has been attending the Dream Cruise since he was a child and says he appreciates the variety.

"You see things here you're never going to see anywhere else," he said.

As if on cue, a dark orange van began to pass; it appeared to have been flipped upside-down. Another set of wheels were attached so that the car was driving on its roof. A cacophony of shouts — from "WHOA" to "Did you see that?" — rang through the crowd gathering on the sidewalk. 

In Birmingham, the National Corvette Restorers Society took up about a block of Old Woodward. Since the group was founded in 1974, the members' goal has been to restore the cars to how they were in the dealership.

"These cars were a part of families. It's a way of bringing back memories," says Mike Bailey, 80, as he stands in front of his 1961 Corvette. 

Bailey says that he was thinking of selling his car when his son, Mike Jr., was 3 years old. Upon hearing the news, however, his son began to weep and told him he couldn't possibly. So Bailey kept it.

Decades later, Mike Jr.'s own 2023 Corvette now stands next to Bailey's 1961.

More than just a car show or traffic jam, I realized, the Woodward Dream Cruise is a place where the past, present, and future converge, and where tradition and innovation are celebrated together, as one. 

One man, passing the Baileys' cars while gently holding his young daughter's hand, stopped and bent down to meet her gaze. 

"Look at the history here," he told her. "This is where the Corvette started and there it is now. Isn't that cool?"

Aurora Sousanis is a sophomore at the University of Michigan. Contact her:  [email protected] . Become a subscriber .

Watch CBS News

Woodward Dream Cruise returns this weekend. Here's what to know about parking, events and more

By Sara Powers

August 16, 2023 / 11:49 AM EDT / CBS Detroit

(CBS DETROIT) - The Woodward Dream Cruise is here for its 2023 season! Here's everything you need to know about the route, parking, free bus rides, community events and more!

When and where is the Woodward Dream Cruise? 

The event will happen on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The Woodward Dream Cruise was founded in 1995 and goes through nine Oakland County communities along 16 miles of Woodward Avenue. 

The participating communities include Pontiac, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale. 

To view the official map for the event, visit here . 

What can visitors expect during the Woodward Dream Cruise?

Every year, the event draws in about 1.5 million people who can expect to see over 400,000 cars, including muscle, street rods, custom builds, collector cars and special edition vehicles participating in the cruise. 

Ford Motor Company is again the event's sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. 

"It's incredibly special to celebrate Ford's 120th Anniversary with Henry Ford's first race car along with our entire portfolio to help power the Woodward Dream Cruise," said Bryan Guldi, Ford U.S. branded activations manager, in a press release. "Collaborating with the Woodward Dream Cruise is very important to Ford Motor Company because we strive to contribute and give back in meaningful ways to the communities where we live, work... and cruise."

The 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise features the new Mustang Dark Horse, which is debuting this summer with an updated look and maintains manual transmission.

Ford will also feature its Bronco Raptor and F-150 Lightning at the event. 

Will there be construction during the Woodward Dream Cruise? 

The construction on Woodward Avenue from Eight Mile Road to Oakridge Street will pause for the event. 

Cars will have access to all four lanes of Woodward Avenue in both directions. 

Where to park during the Woodward Dream Cruise?

Parking is available along the route, and according to the Woodward Dream Cruise's website, here are some areas guests can find parking:

Royal Oak Golf Center: Corner of Coolidge and West 13 Mile Rd. Gunn Dyer Park: South of Normandy between Coolidge and Woodward. Upton Park: South of West 14 mile Rd and Coolidge.

• City of Birmingham: All activities are within walking distance of the city's downtown parking decks.
• City of Ferndale: The municipal parking lots surround downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue & Nine Mile Rd.
• City of Pontiac: Municipal parking lots and structures surround downtown Pontiac.
• City of Royal Oak: Guest parking is available at municipal parking lots and within walking distance from Woodward. Specifically, guests can look for parking at the Royal Oak Golf Center, Gunn Dyer Park and Upton Park. 

In addition, the event website shared a Facebook account where the community shares more information about where visitors can find parking and other events. 

How to get SMART bus rides during the Woodward Dream Cruise?

During the Woodward Dream Cruise, the SMART Shuttle will be free for everyone who wants to ride. People can catch a ride at any of the SMART RED or FAST bus stops from Eight Mile Road to Pontiac. 

Where to buy Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise?

Official merchandise can be found at the following locations: 

• Ferndale City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Rd., Downtown Ferndale (Mon - Thurs, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• Nine Mile Road., east of Woodward Ave., Ferndale (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Pleasant Ridge City Hall, 23925 Woodward Ave., west of Woodward, south of I-696 (Aug. 19)
• Corner of West 12 Mile Road @ Woodward Avenue, Berkley (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Westborn Market - 27659 Woodward Ave., Berkley (Aug. 19)
• Zoe's Restaurant - 25994 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Sherwin Williams - 27958 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• CVS Pharmacy, 30900 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken, 31105 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Kinkos - 33100 Woodward Ave., Birmingham (Aug. 19)
• West Maple Road, north corner of Woodward, 35075 Woodward Ave., Birmingham (Aug. 18, 19, & 20)
• Birmingham Cruise, Downtown Birmingham, Old Woodward Avenue - multiple locations (Aug. 19)

Other related events happening this weekend

• The Woodward Dream Cruise Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: This ceremony will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, on East Nine Mile Road at Woodward Avenue.
• Lights & Sirens Cruise: This parade will happen at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The procession will head north on Woodward to 11 Mile Road and return to Nine Mile Road. 
• Woodward Dream Show: This event is happening Friday and Saturday at the M-1 Concourse in Pontiac. To celebrate Corvette's 70th anniversary, they will have 70 Corvettes, one from each production year. In addition, they will also have a 1983 Corvette, which is the only one in the world! For more information on the Woodward Dream Show, visit here.
• Woodward Avenue
• Metro Detroit
• Woodward Dream Cruise
• Oakland County

Sara Powers is a digital producer for CBS Detroit. A Detroit native, Sara has been covering local topics such as breaking news, politics and entertainment for CBS Detroit since 2021.

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