Woodward Dream Cruise 2016 Kicks Off Wednesday

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — More than 40,000 muscle cars, hot rods, custom and classic cars are showcased in the 22nd annual Woodward Dream Cruise taking place along a 16-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue.

Saturday is officially cruise day, but activities begin Wednesday in Pontiac.

The Woodward Dream Cruise started as a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale, but today it’s the world’s largest one-day automotive event, drawing 1.5 million people classic cars each year from around the globe — as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the former Soviet Union.

We’ve highlighted some of the activities below. Find more information here.

Berkley CruiseFest

Friday

Berkley’s activities take place from 6-11 p.m. Friday. The Berkley Classic Car Parade takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on 12 Mile Road between Coolidge and Greenfield. Other highlights include inflatables for the kids at 12 Mile Road and Tyler; DTE Energy games at 12 Mile Road and Griffith South; a food court at 12 Mile Road and Robina south and the downtown business district; a street dance at 12 Mile Road and Griffith north; and live entertainment. Four official Woodward Dream Cruise merchandise tents will be open both Friday and Saturday.

Birmingham Cruise Event

Saturday

The Birmingham Cruise Event is located on South Old Woodward from Merrill Street to Lincoln. It features 300 classic cars of all makes and models t the classic car show from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., live entertainment and live broadcasts by WXYZ-TV and WOMC 104.3 FM.

Bloomfield Township 2016 Classic Car Show

Saturday

The 12th annual Bloomfield Township Classic Car Show returns to Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition to show cars, the event will feature a viewing area for the Woodward Dream Cruise with official merchandise sales, DJ entertainment, food, general parking and portable restrooms. Admission to view the vehicles is free.

Ferndale Dream Cruise

Thursday through Saturday

West Nine Mile Road is where all the festival action takes place with food and merchant vendors along with the classic rock-n-roll sounds from the Search Optics Rock’n Live Entertainment stage all three days. Other highlights include filming of a new PBS television special, “Dream Cruise Road Show,” from 6-9 p.m. Thursday; The “Get Reel Movie NIght” featuring “Cars” on Thursday; the 16th Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show from 1-8 p.m Friday; the official ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday; the Lights & Sirens Cruise at 5:30 p.m. Friday; and the 18th Mustang Alley Show from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.

Pontiac Power Week Classic Car Show

Wednesday through Saturday

Cruise activities kick off with Corvettes on Woodward on Wednesday, featuring more than 1,000 corvettes at the car show at the M1 Concourse,parade laps on the Champion Motor Speedway and a cruise around the downtown Pontiac loop. The entertainment lineup includes classic rock and roll, R&B and oldies on two music stages, and two other car shows, including the Downtown Pontiac Classic Car Show and the Pontiac City Square Car Show.

City of Royal Oak Dream Cruise

Friday-Saturday

The Performance Park Classic Car Show takes place from 12-7 p.m. on Friday, featuring GM Performance vehicles, vendors and a food court. From 8-9:30 a.m., Saturday, there’s a “Cruise In Shoes” 5k run/walk at the Shrine High school Athletic Field; a classic car show at Northwood Shopping Center from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; continuation of the Performance Park Classic Car Show at related events from 8 a.m.- p.m. Saturday; and Kroger’s Kids Zone at Pioneer Park.

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