Woodward Dream Cruise returns, drawing thousands of classic car fans
The sweltering, sweat-inducing heat didn’t stop throngs of classic car fans from descending on Woodward Avenue on Saturday for the 26th annual Dream Cruise.
Families and friends and people of all ages gathered along the road and on traffic medians as far as the eye could see, seeking refuge from the sun under tents and umbrellas. Most came prepared with lawn chairs, snacks, water and beer.
Billed as America’s largest one-day automotive gathering, the Woodward Dream Cruise stretches from Pontiac to Ferndale and features tens of thousands of vintage cars. The event sponsored by Ford typically draws more than a million onlookers and runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Detroiter Lyndon Joyce joined the fun in Ferndale, arriving at 11 a.m. He’s a self-proclaimed car enthusiast — but he mostly loves being around people.
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“This is an outstanding thing that happens every year,” Joyce said. “It’s a good way for the pandemic to get over. … This is letting people know, Detroit is a mecca for everything.”
Of course, last year during the height of the pandemic, the cruise didn’t happen. And it seems car fans were ready to get back to the business of cruising on Saturday.
Angie and Rex Jones drove in from Hell, Michigan, to attend the cruise for the fifth time. The Joneses set up their chairs near Mustang Alley in Ferndale and were thrilled to see some ’60s Mustangs cruise by.
“It’s nice, it’s relaxed,” Angie Jones said. “Everybody seems like they’re having a good time, but it doesn’t seem as crowded this year.”
Although some event-goers said the crowd was smaller than usual, businesses along Woodward said they were grateful for the spike in customers, especially after struggling during the pandemic.
Joyce said an event like the Dream Cruise could only happen in the Motor City, and it’s indicative of how metro Detroiters can come together. He said everyone’s been very friendly and sharing supplies, like water, to help each other out.
“Look at this,” Joyce said. “I have never seen any problems, and I’ve been coming to this just about since it started. I’m a car enthusiast myself … but the best thing is seeing people come together.”
Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com.
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