Dream Cruisers, Spectators: Woodward Awaits You

Cruisers rejoice: The world's largest one-day celebration of car culture is almost here and fans already can be heard revving their engines up and down historic Woodward Avenue.

More than 50,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom-, collector- and special-interest vehicles will hit the pavement from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday during the 17th annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

More than just a celebration of Detroit muscle, the cruise is an opportunity for friends and family to reunite and relive the good old days, attracting more than 1 million visitors from across the country and around the globe.

"Cruising Woodward is like nowhere else," said . "There is so much history, so many stories, it is incredible. I have met people from all over the world during the Dream Cruise. Let me put it this way — Christians go to Jerusalem for a religious experience. Car people go to Woodward.”

But, some neighbors wish the event wasn't quite as intrusive.

"We are thrilled to have visitors to our area and to Detroit," . "But, it'd be nice if it was contained to that weekend, as opposed to the entire summer."

The Woodward Dream Cruise will cover 16 miles of the legendary road running through eight communities including Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak.

Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships have helped keep the Woodward Dream Cruise a free event for cruisers and spectators, which in turn has kept attendance strong.

"It's a really exciting week," Woodward Dream Cruise Executive Director Tony Michaels said. "Chevy is bringing a lot to the table."

Chevrolet, this year's presenting sponsor, has agreed to a three-year deal, which means it will be on board through 2013, Chevrolet spokesman Tom Wilkinson said.

"(The Dream Cruise) is a great grassroots event and creates a lot of emotion around cars in southeast Michigan, so we're really happy to be able to support the event, to keep it alive and well and healthy for Chevy fans – and all car fans," he said.

Organizers say Chevy's involvement has made a significant impact on the Woodward Dream Cruise.

"Year-to-year, (sponsorship of the event) has increased approximately 15 percent and the big one obviously is Chevrolet," said Marty Pawlusiak, who handles sponsorship opportunities for the Cruise. "We've also had several (other) new sponsors come on board including Plex Systems Inc., the Salvation Army and MotorCities National Heritage Area."

Auburn Hills-based technology and manufacturing firm Plex Systems Inc. pitched in after MotorCity Casino Hotel withdrew from entertainment funding. In the past, MotorCity had contributed $75,000; Plex Systems contributed half of that this year, providing entertainment funding for participating cities along the Dream Cruise route, Ferndale's Woodward Dream Cruise event coordinator Michael Lary said.

Other sponsors such as Faygo, Fifth Third Bank and Ajax Industrial Paving Inc. have been stalwarts, unwavering in their support even during the lean years, Pawlusiak said.

"We've really made a significant recovery from 2008-2009," he said.

Having Chevy on board as presenting sponsor until 2013 is a big boost, Pawlusiak said. "We're extremely solvent, so it's going to be a great couple of years."

The sponsorship is also meaningful for the automaker, which turns 100 in November.

Fellow automakers Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC also will participate in the Cruise, with Ford serving as a major sponsor in Ferndale, where it will exhibit in Mustang Alley, and Chrysler planning to exhibit at the Northwood Shopping Center parking lot in Royal Oak, Pawlusiak said.

Gas prices

While the tough economy hasn't kept cruisers away, it's hard to say how higher gas prices will affect their participation. At least one said he won't be swayed.

"My '67 VW gets pretty good mileage," Eric Murrell commented on the Berkley Patch Facebook page, adding he estimates his classic car gets 20-25 miles per gallon. "You know the thing about classic cars is: If you're going to worry about the mileage, don't buy the car."

The average price for a gallon of fuel in Metro Detroit on Monday was $3.68, up nearly a dollar compared to the same day a year ago when the average price was $2.80, according to AAA.

If you go

When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday.

"Woodward Avenue will be closed at 9 p.m. (Aug. 20) with access to residential streets restricted," according to Huntington Woods Public Safety Lt. Neil Gensler. "This closure could remain in effect until after midnight."

Where: 16-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue from Ferndale to Pontiac

Cost: Free

More information: Visit www.woodwarddreamcruise.com or follow the Woodward Dream Cruise on Facebook for more information.

Public safety

Police and public safety departments from each community will patrol on foot, horseback and in vehicles during the Cruise and a team of amateur radio operators will provide additional eyes and ears for law enforcement officials along the route. The Oakland County Sheriff's Department also will be on hand to assist.

Communities

The Dream Cruise began in 1995 in Ferndale as a small fundraiser to generate money for a soccer field. This year, events will span Thursday through Saturday, featuring a Kids Play Zone and the 17th Ferndale Classics & Cruis’n Legends vehicle show. and to Dream Cruise profiles and stories from Ferndale.

The city, fresh off , won't hold any official events. But there will surely be plenty of house parties throughout Huntington Woods.

The city keeps it old-school, with the focus on classic cars, fun and family. The night before the big event, the city throws its own party, when 12 Mile Road comes alive during the . Meanwhile, the ninth annual to benefit Forgotten Harvest is set for 6-10 p.m. Friday at . 

all day and into the night along Woodward and downtown at booths staffed by Berkley community service organizations, which will benefit from the proceeds.

Royal Oak is often thought of as the hub of the Dream Cruise, with the Northwood Shopping Center parking lot at the southwest corner of 13 Mile and Woodward packed with classic cars and three restaurants in the city – , and Olga's Kitchen – serving as official event eateries. The city's celebration also has a strong emphasis on family fun.

will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday on Fifth and Sixth streets between Washington and Center. On Friday, more than 300 cars will be on display in Memorial Park, and from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday Chevy will have air-conditioned pit stops where cruisers can grab a bottle of water and have their classic cars photographed in front of murals depicting three historic diners.

Complete Dream Cruise coverage in Royal Oak Patch

The city doesn't officially sponsor or take part in the Woodward Dream Cruise, but it does hold Saturday along Old Woodward and Dream Cruise sponsor Chevrolet will have a display along the stretch of road to . Friday night, there'll be music and burgers at , while Elvis tribute artist Fred Wolfe will perform Saturday.

More Dream Cruise coverage on Birmingham Patch.

The seventh annual is scheduled for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The free event includes music, food, family friendly activities and a live broadcast by radio station channel 97.1 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The main attraction takes place at Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield, 36600 Woodward Ave., where classic and rare cars will be on display. Did we mention the general parking for $5 and readily accessible portable restrooms?

More Dream Cruise coverage on Bloomfield Hills Patch

Terry Parris Jr., Judy Davids, Art Aisner, Laura Houser and Libby Turpin contributed to this report.