Thousands Converge on Woodward for Annual Dream Cruise

It's a beautiful day for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise where thousands of classic and custom cars are expected to make their way down the 16-mile strip from Ferndale to Pontiac.

Thousands of spectators also are expected to join in the fun and celebration of Motor City's culture.

Patch reporters will be along the road covering the sights, sounds and spectacles throughout the day. 

Stay here for updates, with contributions from Jessica Schrader, Leslie Ellis, Art 

10 p.m. Royal Oak:  Another Cruise Has Come and Gone

The cruise officially ended at 9 p.m. There were huge lines for the afterparty at Duggan's and other downtown bars.  On the streets, there were lots of bicycles, lots of people hanging out at coffee shops and restaurants outside. Lots of smokers, lots of stogies. It's a mild summer night and people are behaving as such.
A Royal Oak Police officer who was directing traffic at 13/Woodward told said it was a smooth Dream Cruise from the police perspective day.

9:55 p.m.: Packard Automotive Plant on Fire Again

According to a post on the Facebook page of www.MotorCityMuckraker.com, the smoke seen from Woodward early Saturday evening was the Packard Plant in Detroit burning again.

According to the post, "Since the fires burn themselves out and there's a lot of risk to fighting a fire in this sprawling complex, firefighters let the blazes burn."

9:30 p.m.: 5 Custom License Plates Seen on Woodward 

Along with looking at the beautiful cars, a favorite part of Dream Cruise is checking out the custom license plates. Here are five of our favorites.

8:30 p.m. Berkley: Hare Krishnas Visit Woodward Dream Cruise

Members of the Hare Krishna ISKCON Temple of Detroit chanted, danced and drummed their way through the Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday in Berkley.


8:24 p.m. Royal Oak: Car Driven by Helio Castroneves on Display
While the focus of the Woodward Dream Cruise is undeniably on the classics, the Chevrolet Performance brand asked cruisers to imagine how present and future cars could benefit from the past.

A display in Royal Oak just north of 13 Mile Road attracted those in the market for a new car and those just looking for more cool rides, including a 2013 DW12 IndyCar driven by professional racer Helio Castroneves. 

8:07 p.m. Birmingham: Memories Come to Life at Woodward Dream Cruise

Most of the regulars to the Cruise have a story or two to share about their car or past cruise events.

Ansey Miller of Clarkston shared a memory about his father and the passion for a late-1931 Model 'A' truck, which he parked alongside other members of the Oalkeaf Region Model A Club at their usual spot on Old Woodward Avenue in the heart of downtown Birmingham.

7:50 p.m. Royal Oak: New Burger King Gets Record Business

The Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak was seen as an opportunity for some new businesses to open, leading to a busy day for staff.

The Burger King outlet just north of 13 Mile Road actually opened up July 18th, according to staff, but hadn't had nearly as big a day of business as it did on Saturday. One staffer said she had worked a 12-hour shift, leading another to say with a smile, "It's all fun, though."

Meanwhile, the restaurant, which is open 24 hours on weekends, was packed throughout the day as some patrons were asked to walk through the drive-through to place their order.

6:25 p.m.: Where is That Smoke Coming From?

Spectators at 11 Mile and Woodward can see smoke billowing in the air. Do you see it, too? Where is it coming from? Tell us in the comments. Meanwhile, we're looking for answers.
Update: No reports of fire/smoke called in to Royal Oak, Ferndale or Berkley police. Officials say there are so many officers on Woodward today that someone would have called it in. (We take that to mean no need to worry.)
6:12 p.m. Custom Camaro Turns Heads in Berkley

Woodward Dream Cruise fans whipped out their cameras and posed for photos in front of the chromed-out, custom-built Camaro on display Saturday in Berkley.
5:10 Ferndale: Residents Go With the Flow

Eric Blaine and Paul Beasley kicked back with cold drinks and front row seats for the Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday at Dino's Lounge in Ferndale.

The Ferndale residents, who rode their bikes downtown to snag seats on the restaurant's patio, said the best way to make peace with the cruise is to go with the flow.

"It's hard to get around here, but you just have to stop and have fun. That's how you deal with it," Blaine said. "The reason it drives people crazy is they try to go on like normal and you can't. It'll drive you crazy."

5 p.m. Birmingham: WXYZ's Carolyn Clifford Prepares to Go On Air

WXYZ-TV, Channel 7, anchor Carolyn Clifford is getting help with her headset before going on air in front of the 555 Building in Birmingham. The TV station has been reporting live from the Dream Cruise all day.

4:30 p.m. Birmingham: Dream Cruise Pins are the Top-Selling Souvenirs

There is still plenty of merchandise to be had at the official Woodward Dream Cruise sales booths in Birmingham.

Vendors said the top seller of the day, by far, were Dream Cruise pins, which were gone in a few hours. Second are red T-shirts with the official Dream Cruise logo, followed by pink.

What did you buy at the Dream Cruise today? Tell us in the comments.

4:15 p.m. Ferndale: 7 Woodward Dream Cruise Style Statements

Forget the classic cars – fashion was on parade Saturday in Ferndale during the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Looks included leopard print, color palettes coordinated with cars, 1950s fashions and more.

3:55 p.m. Dream Cruise Trivia

The first Woodward Dream Cruise was in 1995, a fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale. Today it's the world's largest one-day car event. Find out more here.

3:45 p.m. Birmingham: Traffic is Slow

Traffic is moving very slowly, near standstill on Woodward Avenue between Maple and 14 mile road in Birmingham. No one seems to mind, though.

"It gives us more time to soak it all in," said Lisa Stoddard of Bloomfield Hills.

3:20 p.m. Birmingham: TV Show Auditions Among Activities

A long line of potential contestants forms as people audition for a spot on the upcoming game show  “Let’s Ask America," with host, Kevin Pereira, Saturday afternoon in downtown Birmingham. The show begins airing locally next month. 

2:45 p.m. Birmingham: Old Woodward is  "Heart" of Cruise"

There is a large crowd out at both the official and unofficial Dream Cruise events in Birmingham. Hundreds of people are walking between the closed blocks of Old Woodward Avenue, stopping to chat with other car buffs and for pictures with their favorite vehicles, ranging from classic muscle cars to the Model A's of the 1920s.

"Its the heart of the cruise, it really is," said Bob Jordan, a veteran cruiser who meets with other members of the Oakleaf Region Model A Club on Old Woodward in Birmingham every year. 

1:37 p.m. Ferndale: Mustang Alley Flexes Its Muscle In Ferndale

Mustang Alley, the show that celebrates all makes and models of the Ford Motor Co. muscle car, has exploded from less than 50 cars its first year to more than 800 this year, said Mustang Alley co-organizer Matt Sroka, a St. Clair Shores resident who works for Ford.

1:15 p.m. Video of Cars Along the Route

Thousands of cars are now rolling down Woodward Avenue. Here's a sneak peek.

12:22 p.m. Royal Oak: It's a Family Affair

Jan Poff, of Clarkston, brings her grandsons Alex and David to the Dream Cruise each year. "It brings back a lot of memories and it's kind of fun sharing it with the boys," she said. "I can remember back in the day when this is what it was all about."

12:04 p.m. Royal Oak: Kentucky Family Makes Woodward Dream Cruise a Tradition

Steve Fisk and his family travel from Georgetown, Kentucky in their 1951 Buick FLXIBLE Hearse for the cruise each year (his son, Steve Fisk Jr., points out that the car gets 24 miles a gallon). 

11:39 a.m. Woodward Avenue: 5 Interesting Sights

From a Dolly Parton cardboard cutout to a stuffed tiger on the tail of one of the cars, there are many interesting things to see on Woodward Avenue today.

11:29 a.m. Royal Oak: New to the Cruise

Mary and Rick Jazwiecki traveled from Toledo to check out the Dream Cruise for the first time. "We always thought about coming to see the cars so we were happy we made it," said Mary. Rick is hoping to see a 1968 Dodge Dart like one he had as a kid.

10:56 a.m. Ferndale: Many Showing Pride in Their Rides

Mickey Ziomkowski, of Romeo, brought his 1970 American Motors Rebel Machine to the Dream Cruise on Saturday to the delight of many fellow cruisers. "That's what I like about it, that it's unique," he said.

10:23 a.m. Tip: Where to Park

"Since the route runs through many communities, parking can be both ample and scarce, depending on where you are," woodwarddreamcruise.com says. Here are the site's suggestions:

• Berkley – There are no public parking areas near Woodward. Parking is allowed on side streets adjoining Woodward but get there early to find a space. Overnight parking is not allowed on city streets. 
• Birmingham — All Dream Cruise activities are within walking distance of the city’s five parking decks, where the first two hours of parking are free. 
• Bloomfield Township — Spectator parking near the car show is at 36700 Woodward for $5.
•  Ferndale — In Ferndale, the following metered lots are public: West Nine Mile at Planavon; Woodward at West Troy; Woodward at Withington (West), Woodward at East Breckenridge. 
• Huntington Woods — Parking areas on Woodward have been leased by car clubs or reserved for city residents’ activities. Spectator parking is the same as for Berkley; see above. 
• Pontiac —Public parking is in the Phoenix Plaza structure in the downtown. City surface lots will be open in the downtown. 
• Royal Oak — Parking is available at public lots and three parking decks in the downtown but you must walk one-half mile to Woodward.