The Woodward Dream Cruise is an annual classic automotive event involving a 16 mile radius of the historic Woodward Ave, in metro Detroit (Oakland County). The History of the Woodward Dream Cruise™
Beginning in 1994, a Ferndale (a metro Detroit suburb) resident, Mr. 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 heavy dose of nostalgia and a group of dedicated volunteers the Woodward Dream Cruise Car Show was launched on the third Saturday in August, in 1995, with an estimated 30,000 or 40,000 spectators and car enthusiasts were expected, but they came…nearly 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. 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 Detroit metropolitan 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.
What began as a fundraiser for a field of dreams has become an automotive institution. Since 1995, the Woodward Dream Cruise has grown from a car buffs’ dream to the biggest car cruise event in the world. It attracts over one-million spectators, car enthusiast and 30,000+ classic vehicles and continues to be a family-friendly, grand celebration of the automotive culture.