Ferndale gears up for the 14th annual Woodward Dream Cruise

By Jeremy Selweski
C & G Staff Writer

FERNDALE — It won’t be long now. In fact, if you listen closely, you can probably hear the familiar sound of classic car lovers tuning up their babies for their big day out, that time each summer when the Motor City proves that it is the one and only rightful owner of its long-standing title.

For the 14th annual Woodward Dream Cruise on August 16, more than 1 million people and over 40,000 muscle cars, hot rods and special interest vehicles will gather along metro Detroit’s most famous highway for the yearly celebration of classic car culture. Car aficionados will cruise along a nine-city, 16-mile strip of Woodward Avenue while spectators line street curbs and medians to enjoy the myriad family-oriented attractions.

And as the place where the mammoth event began, the city of Ferndale has plenty in store from August 15 to 17 for residents looking to get a taste of what the Woodward Dream Cruise is all about.

“Ferndale is the founding father of the Dream Cruise,” said Michael Lary, event coordinator of the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend. “It’s the only one of the nine participating cities with a full three days of activities and fun for the whole family. The entertainment and excitement level is very high. There’s a lot of positive energy already.”

In 1995, the Woodward Dream Cruise began when a Ferndale resident was looking to raise money for a children’s soccer field. Since then, it has expanded exponentially to become the world’s largest automotive event.

Lary pointed out that now that Ford Motor Co. is the exclusive automotive sponsor of the Ferndale Dream Cruise, this may be its biggest year ever.

All weekend long, Ford will occupy numerous areas of Nine Mile Road near Woodward, including more than a mile stretch along East Nine Mile. According to Mark Marasco, event coordinator for Ford, there will be a Model T display celebrating the 100th anniversary of the iconic car, the 10th annual Mustang Alley show, the Blue Thunder monster truck display, as well as an array of new vehicles, such as the new Ford F-150, Flex and Focus Coupe.

In addition, Ford will construct 30-foot totem poles — with start flags and banners like those used in actual NASCAR and IndyCar races — on either side of Woodward to mark Ferndale as the originator of the event.

Ferndale will present a number of other activities for attendees to enjoy, including its Classic Car Show, Emergency Vehicle Show, Lights & Sirens Cruise and the official Woodward Dream Cruise ribbon-cutting ceremony.

For Lary, though, the numerous charity efforts and events — such as the Fast Friday VIP Party, held this year at the Bosco, 22930 Woodward Ave. — are an important part of the Dream Cruise that too often get lost amid all the grand spectacle and street party atmosphere.

“We really want to continue the spirit of why the Dream Cruise began in the first place,” he said.

This year, charities such as the Boys & Girls Club of South Oakland County, the FernCare Free Clinic and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will all receive contributions from Ferndale Dream Cruise fundraisers.

Other activities include a Kids Play Zone, three Rock’n Live Entertainment stages, two Cruiz’n Food Courts, a Retro Tin Campers exhibit and displays from Mobsteel Custom Vehicles and Fender Guitars.

Lary believes there’s more to the Dream Cruise than may initially meet the eye, especially to skeptics who criticize it as a backwards-looking nostalgia exercise.

“It’s about more than old cars driving up and down Woodward,” he said. “It’s about people and their passions. These car owners are the proud parents of those cars. And it’s something that puts a smile on a lot people’s faces. We in Detroit need that positive feeling right now.”

To view a complete schedule of events for the 2008 Ferndale Dream Cruise or to find out more information, visit www.ferndaledreamcruise.com. For additional info, also check out www.woodwarddreamcruise.com.

You can reach Staff Writer Jeremy Selweski at jselweski@candgnews.com or at (586) 218-5004.