The celebration that is the Woodward Dream Cruise grew by leaps and bounds in 2008 to encompass far more than its original nine-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue. In addition to the many events hosted by communities along the cruise's original route, the MotorCities National Heritage Area worked through two programs – Cruisin’ Motorcities Summer Festival and Autopalooza -- to expand auto-related events throughout Southeast Michigan.
The Cruisin’ MotorCities Summer Festival successfully expanded the celebration of all things auto in 2008 by scheduling a week of events in downtown Detroit leading into the Woodward Dream Cruise. One of the biggest events to fall under its umbrella of promotion was Detroit’s Festival of Speed and Style. Unfortunately, these downtown events will not be repeated in 2009 because of the economy. Between the events promoted by Autopalooza August and the host of auto-related events sponsored by communities in and around the Metro-Detroit area in August, however, a Woodward Dream Cruise Events Calendar continues to be a necessity in 2009.
Friday, July 31st
- Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, Rochester
Saturday, August 1st
- RM Auctions Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook, Rochester
- Mt. Clemens Cruise (dancing, Hot Rod City!)
Sunday, August 2nd
Wednesday, August 12th and Thursday, August 13th
- Rolling Cruise (Grand Blanc to Flint), part of the Back to the Bricks Cruise Weekend in Flint
Friday, August 14th
- Berkley CruiseFest Parade
- Emergency Vehicle Show, part of the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend
- Rock’n Live Entertainment (two stages of entertainment), part of the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend
- NextCruise, Pleasant Ridge: While there was a press release in August of 2008 announcing that the car show featuring environmentally friendly cars would return to Pleasant Ridge in 2009, additional information is apparently to be announced.
- Cruisin’ Eve 2009 (indoor/outdoor pre-party and car show), Pontiac at Sevin Night Club
- The Pontiac Segment of the Loop has a host of musical events scheduled. The events include four live DJ locations and several stages of live entertainment, including the MotorCity Casino Stage, Hidden River Smooth Jazz V98.7 Stage, Oldies 104.3 WOMC Traffic Tower stage and 99.5 Country Western Stage. The City of Pontiac provides a map to help you figure it all out.
- The Oakland Press Cruisin' Car Show, Pontiac
- Events in outlying areas:
- August NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying, Brooklyn
- Cruise In, part of the Back to the Bricks Cruise Weekend in Flint
Saturday, August 15th
- Woodward Dream Cruise, along Woodward Avenue between Ferndale and Pontiac
- Cruis’n Legends of Ford, part of the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend
- Mustang Alley, part of the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend
- Rock’n Live Entertainment (two stages of entertainment), part of the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise Weekend
- Cruisin’ Eve 2009 (Indoor/outdoor pre-party and car show), Pontiac at Sevin Night Club
- 1969 Grand Prix Car Show, Pontiac (according to the Detroit Free Press)
- Pontiac GTO Cruise, Pontiac (according to the Detroit Free Press)
- The Pontiac Segment of the Loop has a host of musical events scheduled. The events include four live DJ locations and several stages of live entertainment, including the MotorCity Casino Stage, Hidden River Smooth Jazz V98.7 Stage, Oldies 104.3 WOMC Traffic Tower stage and 99.5 Country Western Stage. The City of Pontiac provides a map to help you sort it all out.
- The Oakland Press Cruisin' Car Show, Pontiac
- Events in outlying areas:
- CARFAX 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series, Brooklyn
- Car Show, part of the Back to the Bricks Cruise Weekend in Flint
Sunday, August 16th
- “Post-Woodward” All Ladies Car Show, Milford
- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Michigan 400, Brooklyn
Friday, August 21st thru Sunday, August 23rd
- Cruzin’ the Park (swap meet and car show), Huron Metro Park in Belleville
