2323RDRD ANNANNUALUAL SASATURDTURDAYAY,A,AUGUGUSUSTT1199THTH 2 | X News | THE OAKLAND PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 DREAM CRUISE From fundraiser to world’s largest one-day automotive event By Mike Scott Digital First Media What started as a fund- raiser to support the cost of a soccer field in Ferndale has grown to arguably the biggest event of its kind in the world. money to the local econo- people showed up. Today, the Woodward mies annually. Over the years the num- Dream Cruise is the world’s The Dream Cruise ber of communities that largest one-day automo- started in 1995, a year- have become involved in tive event, drawing well long plan by then Ferndale the event has grown. over one million people Mayor Pamela McCullough Although the cruise of- and an estimated 40,000 and local resident Nelson ficially takes place on the classic cars each year from House to use the idea as a Saturday of that weekend, around the globe. Visitors way to raise money for the many cruisers drive along have come as far away as soccer field project. Woodward in the days lead- Eastern Europe, Australia, Having planned it for ing up to the event, and along with North Ameri- more than a year, orga- many communities have can cruisers from Califor- nizers initially expected added ancillary events nia, Georgia, Canada and 30,000-40,000 people to throughout the week. The more. come for inaugural cruise communities that are pri- Local economists have on Woodward Avenue on marily involved include estimated that the Dream August 19, 1995. However Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Cruise brings anywhere the word quickly spread Royal Oak, Huntington DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO from $50-60 million in and more than 250,000 CRUISE » PAGE 3 The Dream Cruise started in 1995as a way to raise money for a soccer field. Youhave the RIDE. 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The Woodward Dream Cruise is a celebration of Detroit’s golden age and all things automotive, har- kening back to the 1940s, 50s and 60s when Wood- ward was the center for the cruising culture in Oak- More than a million people are expected to come every year. land County. In those days Woodward offered numerous drive-in The majority of the vehicles that movie theaters and restau- are driven and displayed along rants. It was also a central location for car dealerships Woodward are generally ones that and automobile accessory were popular during the 1950s, shops in the age of the mus- ’60s and early ’70s. cle car. As a result, Wood- DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO ward became a hang-out The Woodward Dream Cruise is a celebration of Detroit’s golden age and all things for younger people on and 1950s, 60s and early 70s. Dream Cruise also wel- automotive. beside the road. Makes and models such as comes vehicles of all ve- The majority of the ve- the Pontiac GTOs, Dodge hicles whose owners have ularly welcomed. Car Show which returns to food, drinks, vendors and hicles that are driven and Challenger AMC Jave- who wish to show off cus- Among the other events downtown Pontiac on Fri- more brought to you by displayed along Woodward lin were known for their tomized vehicles of virtu- happening as part of the day and Saturday. Soaring Eagle Casino & are generally ones that power and strength. ally all ages. Sports, clas- Dream Cruise are The Pon- Those who attend can Resort. More events can were popular during the However, the Woodward sic, muscle cars are partic- tiac Power Week Classic enjoy live entertainment, be found online. Mon.-Fri. 7am-6pm Auto Repair With Personal Care! 303 EAST FOURTH STREET •ROYAL OAK 248-543-2262 LASSIC AR Lube, Oil Change Tire Rotation and C C and Oil Filter Wheel Balance Includes afree Includes afree OWNERS 30 point inspection! brake inspection! Can Now Visit us $ plus $ plus For All Your 19.95 tax 29.95 tax *Most cars. Some restrictions apply. *Most cars. Some restrictions apply. Expires 9-30-17 Expires 9-30-17 Repairs www.4thstreetauto.net www.4thstreetauto.net 4 | X News | THE OAKLAND PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SPONSOR Ford increasing presence at Dream Cruise crossovers. event’s nonprofit operating By Mike Scott The amount of the con- board, Woodward Dream For Digital First Media tract was not released, but Cruise Inc. and the direc- As a first-year title Ford does have an option tor of parks and recreation sponsor of the Woodward to continue as the present- for the City of Royal Oak. Dream Cruise, Ford Mo- ing sponsor next year. The roughly 1.2 million tor Company will dramat- One of the new fea- attendees of the Dream ically increase its presence tures available this year is Cruise may also see many at the annual event, held the Driving Skills for Life more examples of unique this year on the Saturday program to the Woodward Ford models like the Fi- of Dream Cruise weekend. cruise. This program al- esta ST, F-150 Raptor, Fo- The Dearborn auto- lows representatives of the cus ST and the Ford GT su- maker signed a one-year company’s philanthropic percar that accelerates to contract after Chevrolet arm, Ford Fund, to show 60 mph in three seconds. elected to end its six-year drivers how to navigate At various locations along run as the main sponsor. through safety techniques Woodward, Ford will also As a result, Ford branding while using a virtual real- show off other high-perfor- will be visible through- ity app. mance vehicles such as the out the weekend at such Some of the cash raised Mustang Cobra Jet, which events as the 19th year of from the Ford sponsor- includes a 5.0-liter V8 en- Mustang Alley in Ferndale. ship will help to pay for gine, 2.9L Whipple super- In total four separate lo- police overtime and public charger and other custom cations will host Ford’s works costs to help main- parts. track-ready racing vehi- tain cleanliness, accord- “Dream Cruise is all DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO cles, aid its full car lineup ing to Greg Rassel, the about the sheer joy and Some of the cash raised from the Ford sponsorship will help to pay for police overtime and of sports cars, SUVs and volunteer president of the FORD » PAGE 6 public works costs to help maintain cleanliness. ENJOY THE CLASSIC CAR PARADE IN BERKLEY 6:30 PM FRIDAY, AUG 18TH THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 THE OAKLAND PRESS | News X | 5 YOUR SOURCE FOR AUTOMOTIVE BODYPARTS AND PANELS 586-566-0609 -HOODS -FRONT FENDERS -QUARTER PANELS -FLOOR PANS -ROCKER PANELS -GRILLES -RUST REPAIR PANELS FOR CARS AND TRUCKS 1947-2017 OVER 18,000PARTNUMBERS www.motorcityhp.com 6 | X News | THE OAKLAND PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 Performance Power DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO The roughly 1.2 million attendees may see many examples of unique Ford models like the Fiesta ST, F-150 Raptor, Focus ST and the Ford GT. Ford FROM PAGE 4 freedom of the automo- bile, and Ford has always Car/Truck Batteries celebrated car culture,” Mark LaNeve, Ford vice Now Available! president of U.S. market- ing sales and service, said in a statement. “We’re obsessed with • FREE battery &alternator testing making driving fun and we’re committed to cele- •Over 300 varieties of flashlights in-stock brating that passion with enthusiasts of all ages in •Car/Truck batteries made in the USA the birthplace of motor- •Large selection of light bulbs ing.” Chevrolet had been •Battery installation available the largest sponsor of the event for six years straight. Money from sponsors helps pay for the costs of facilities, •Battery recycling center The three-year deal that public safety and other logistical costs that are required to Chevrolet signed in 2011 run the Dream Cruise. was reportedly for more than $1 million. Money from sponsors helps pay also helps to pay for the costs of facilities, public safety and other lo- gistical costs that are re- 34164 Woodward Ave. quired to run the Dream Cruise. BIRMINGHAM 248.644.0666 A Ford company spokes- (East side of Woodward, just N. of Lincoln, under the flag) man said in an email that Mon-Fri 8:30 -9,Sat 9-8,Sun 11 -6 the OEM has not made fi- nal plans for sponsorship beyond this year, but that ©2013 DURACELL PROCELL, adivision of the Gillette Company,Bethel, CT06801. DURACELL PROCELL is aregistered trademark of the Gillette company,used under license.All rights reserved. Ford felt the Dream Cruise sponsorship is the perfect For additional savings visit www.batteriesplus.com venue for promoting the company’s brand.