The Woodward Dream Cruise History
Beginning in 1994, a Ferndale, Michigan resident (Nelson House) reached back into time, looking for a way to raise funds for a children’s soccer field. His memories returned to warm nights in the 1950s and ‘60s when Woodward Avenue swelled with young adults in Fords, Chevys and Plymouths, eager to “put-the-pedal-to-the-metal” and “make the scene.”
Car clubs, car buffs, oldies music fans and people of the generation who remembered coming of age during those heady days on Woodward were ready to reinvent the past. With a hope, prayer and a heavy dose of nostalgia, a group of volunteers launched the Woodward Dream Cruise Car Show in the summer of ‘95. An estimated 30,000 or 40,000 spectators and car enthusiasts were expected, but they came 250,000 strong.
With the intentions of being a one-time event, the Woodward Dream Cruise caught fire in the hearts, souls and imaginations of metro Detroiters who fondly relived their heydays on the Boulevard of Dreams. During these pivotal years, the phenomenon of the Woodward Dream Cruise spread mainly by word of mouth among the classic car communities who restored, exhibited and celebrated the cars they loved and venerated.
It was one giant car show fueled by vintage rock ‘n’ roll, pink poodle skirts, white bobby socks, sunglasses and cool cars that were hot! A governing board that included the participation of the founding seven host cities was the key to the early success.
The Woodward Dream Cruise began to take on new facets that made this gem of a car show really shine! The event grew into an institution with additions such as amusement park rides, celebrity appearances, entertainment, more charity benefactors and vintage car displays. Once again Woodward Avenue became the most famous cruising strip in the world dominated by an ever-changing kaleidoscope of hot rods, street machines and muscle cars.
The old adage, “if you build it, they will come” proved to be true when attendance reached the one million mark in 1999. The spectators had grown four-fold and the number of vintage and classic vehicles participating grew to 35,000. This was also the year that the Woodward Dream Cruise launched its web site. Curb lanes for classic car cruisers soon followed to help give spectators the best views.
The reputation of the Woodward Dream Cruise spreads beyond the metro Detroit area and the state of Michigan, when news of an increasing amount of inquiries comes from across the United States and abroad. Growing numbers of visitors to the Woodward Dream Cruise web site spark postings from countries around the globe making the Dream Cruise a true international flavor.
The Woodward Dream Cruise is very effective at attracting out-of-area visitors to metro Detroit and generating a positive economic impact. Over one third of Dream Cruise visitors come from outside of the Detroit Metro tri-county area. Both local and out-of-town spectators stimulate the economy and support nearly 100 charities with purchases of refreshments and official Woodward Dream Cruise merchandise.
What began as a fundraiser for a field of dreams has become an automotive institution. The Woodward Dream Cruise has grown from a car buffs’ dream to the biggest car cruise event in the world. It attracts over a million people and 40,000 classic vehicles and remains a grand celebration of the car culture of days gone by.
