Grass Roots, Revered Pavement, World Stage

Did you know that the Woodward Dream Cruise actually started as a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan?

In August 1995, Nelson House and a group of volunteers looked to relive and recreate the nostalgic heydays of the 50s and 60s, when youth, music and Motor City steel roamed Woodward Avenue, America’s first highway. That year, 250,000 people participated—nearly ten times the number expected. The rest, as they say, is history.

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.

Drivin’ from Drive-In to Drive-In

Ted's, Totem Pole and The Varsity, Hollywood, Wigwam and Suzie Q's, and, of course, Big Boy. These old-time drive-ins and restaurants that dotted Woodward Avenue were the places to see and be seen during an era remembered perhaps most famously by Hollywood in American Graffiti and Happy Days. These locations were the turnarounds, stopping points and social hangouts for the cruisers of the era.

Ted’s Drive Inn, Michigan’s first near Square Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, became a hangout and one of the avenue’s most popular destinations. It had begun in 1934 as a lunch wagon/trailer and was known for “the world’s largest hot dog,” priced at 35 cents.

The Totem Pole opened in Royal Oak in 1954 and featured a 16-foot totem pole hand carved by Ojibway chief White Wolf of St. Ignace. The restaurant introduced the “Teletray,” a 2-way speaker through which customers could order the popular Big Chief Burger.

At these locales and others, roller-skating waitresses sporting white bobby socks and serving trays delivered hamburgers and milkshakes to duck tailed greasers in leather and beauty queens sporting class rings and letter jackets. The real attractions, though, were the cars.

Hot rods and muscle cars. Convertibles and hard tops. Oversized tires and custom-painted flames. These marvels of machinery were cool and hot; street machines that cruised Woodward emanating vintage rock and roll from the AM radio coupled with the rumble of a big block V8.

The Motor City—The Automotive Heritage Continues

GM, Ford and Chrysler—The Big Three—all have roots tied to Woodward Avenue. In the cruisin’ era, urban legends grew that the Big Three tested their prototypes on Woodward. Famous nameplates such as Pontiac’s GTO, Chrysler’s Hemi cars, and Ford’s Mustang variants.

Such introductions continue to this day, including the latest iterations of the Mustang GT, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Charger; all have made their presence known at the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Dedicated Volunteers, Supporters

Taking place on the third Saturday in August and now in its 18th year, the Woodward Dream Cruise is run and governed by WDC, Inc., a volunteer committee that comprises a state-registered non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. It consists of a board of directors and officers who represent and coordinate the efforts of the Cruise’s eight host communities.

The Dream Cruise remains a free event due to the support of a range of corporate sponsors.

Significant Community, Economic Impact

A market research study conducted after the 2007 event found that the Woodward Dream Cruise generates more than $56 million each year for the Metro Detroit economy. The Cruise’s economic impact to the region is more significant than any other major event in Michigan, recurring or otherwise; that includes 2006 Super Bowl XL at Ford Field ($49.3 million), the 2005 MLB All-Star Game at Comerica Park ($42 million) or the 2006 Detroit Tigers post season run ($37.8 million).

Nearly 100 area charities benefit from the sale of official Dream Cruise merchandise and refreshments each year.