Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday, August 18! A brief history.

 The Woodward Dream Cruise started as a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan?
In August 1995, Pamela S. McCullough, Mayor of Ferndale, Nelson House and a group of volunteers looked to relive the nostalgic heydays of the 50s and 60s, when youth, music and Motor City steel roamed Woodward Avenue.

Starting in 1848, when the roadway was converted from logs to planks, young carriage drivers would race along Woodward Avenue. Woodward Avenue was developed as a major street in Detroit in the early 20th century, and was lined with mansions and major churches.
By 1958, the roadway was used by youth for unofficial street racing with cars. The wide width, median, and sections lacking a large commercial presence attracted drivers eager for the competition. The numerous businesses along the upper road, each with its dedicated local teenaged clientele, were also popular. In the age of the muscle car, Woodward had numerous car dealerships and automobile accessory shops. These completed the attractions for young adults to cruise, race and hang out along the road.

That first year, 250,000 people participated—nearly ten times the number expected. 
Today, the Woodward Dream Cruise is the world’s largest one-day automotive event, drawing 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars each year from around the globe—from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the former Soviet Union. North American cruisers from California, Georgia, Canada and all points in between caravan to Metro Detroit to participate in what has become, for many, an annual rite of summer.








Big event this weekend. Unfortunately I will not be there, as granddaughter Cora's first birthday party is that day in Oberlin.

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