By Gary Gosselin, Ford World
Ford Motor Company will be in the thick of things as 1.5 million car fans descend on Woodward Avenue on Saturday, Aug. 18, for the Woodward Dream Cruise. For the sixth year, Ford will stage a large display of new and old vehicles in Shane Park, located in downtown Birmingham, Mich.
“It’s a different feel this year. In the past it was more of a car show, this year it is more of a family and fun environment as opposed to showcasing just new vehicles,” said Crystal Green, manager, Sponsorship and Alliance, Ford and Lincoln Mercury. “People can also interact and learn more about the new vehicles too as well as see the vintage vehicles.”
Ford’s display, Cruisin’ Legends, includes more than 100 vehicles as well as areas for Ford Racing, Saleen, Barrett-Jackson, Rousch, Steeda and Unique Performance Concepts, which will have a version of the Gone in 60 Seconds movie car.
The Ford Shelby GT500KR, a prototype of the 2008 GT500KR, also will be showcased.
“They put on one of the best fun family events throughout the whole Dream Cruise,” said Joe Valentine, management specialist for Birmingham. “There’s a great mix of classic vehicles, current vehicles and concept vehicles for everyone to appreciate.”
The display will be surrounded by about 90 classics from area Ford fans in addition to about a dozen new cars and trucks. The display will also feature a number of information kiosks and several games in which guests can win T-shirts, models of Ford cars and even cash in the Super Duty dice roll game.
Visitors to Ford’s display will have the chance to win a trip to the NASCAR season finale in Homestead, Fla., and a trip to Ford Racing School in Utah.
“Also, if you go through the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) booth you’ll have a chance to win Detroit Pistons tickets, and we’re selling raffle tickets for the new Ford Edge,” said Rob Bremer, coordinator, Special Events, Ford Motor Company. “And all proceeds go to JDRF. Around JDRF is the SEMA-winning Deuce (coupe) and we will have the one signed by Edsel Ford II as well as others from area clubs. “
The Ford display will also have live bands like Teen Angels and Aaron Vaughn and two sessions of “Edge Karaoke,” in which participants will receive a CD of their performance.
Cruise Events
The Woodward Dream Cruise will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, and runs 16 miles up and down Woodward through the Michigan communities of Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac and Royal Oak. Most communities have events leading up to the big day as well as all weekend.
The Dream Cruise is billed as the single largest auto event in the world, and attracts more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, sports cars, custom hot rods and special-interest vehicles. Visit
The Woodward Dream Cruise | Classic Cars, Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, Custom Vehicles, and the Nostalgia of Fifties and Sixties!.
