This one goes out to the many car enthusiasts in southeast Michigan. We are in the prime months for classic car cruises, car festivals and other car-related events. There are quite a few exciting car happenings going on this summer. Car collectors/fans everywhere are getting set to take their classic vehicles, muscle cars and hot rods out to the streets to show them off.
If you are looking for an event to take one of your most prized possessions out to in the near future, or if you are looking for one to attend and view gorgeous vehicles, look no further. Consider these upcoming options that can act as the perfect platform to show off your machines.
Cruisin’ Downriver has its 16th annual cruise beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, and is the next car event taking place in the Metro Detroit area. It cruises through the cities of Lincoln Park, Southgate, Wyandotte and Riverview. Downriver will be filled with (an expected) 300,000 car buffs filling Fort Street to catch a glimpse of the action. The cruise route is down Fort Street from Sibley Road in Riverview to Warwick Avenue in Lincoln Park. The cruise itself has no registration fee. For more information, click here.
The next events of note take place at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26. The festivities start with the RM Auctions Vintage Motor Cars affair on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is one of the nation’s most prestigious auction events and will sell more than 100 historically significant automobiles.
The following day is the Concours d’Elegance of America at the same location. This is the 37th edition of the event. Every automobile enthusiast will be blissfully happy with the lineup of classic cars, new features, Duesenbergs, and more. Tickets cost $30 for general admission and $125 for VIP.
Moving forward, the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise is on Sunday, Aug. 2 from noon to 6 p.m. Leading up to the event will be pre-cruise car shows at various locations throughout Clinton Twp. The route travels down Gratiot Avenue from 14 Mile Road (north of Metropolitan Parkway) to Wellington Crescent. In addition, the Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise has a parade of cars, pedal cars, live entertainment and the Kool Kid Zone.
For fans of live racing, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pure Michigan 400 invades Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 16. Fans can catch NASCAR superstars like Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and more racing around the track. A Sunday admission ticket to the track also gets you into Keloorah, the concert event taking place on the Friday and Saturday before race day.
Next up is the Woodward Dream Cruise presented by Chevrolet. It is arguably the most popular of all of the cruises and goes from Thursday, Aug. 13 until Saturday, Aug. 15. The cities of Ferndale, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Pontiac and Royal Oak all get to experience the cruise. You can check online for the routes.
Cruisin’ Hines is next up. It takes place on Sunday, Aug. 23 in Westland. Vehicles may enter at Ford Road and E.N. Hines Dr. (which is closed for all vehicles except classic cars and hot rods). Spectators can park at Telegraph Road, Merriman Rd., or Warrendale.
Some later events to keep an eye out for are the Old Car Festival from Saturday, Sept. 12 to Sunday, Sept. 13 and the Orphan Car Show on Sunday, Sept. 20.
If you are a car enthusiast, you will have fun no matter which event you attend. With so many options, you can fill your whole summer up with exciting automotive adventures. Whether you are a classic car owner, a spectator or a collector, there is something for everyone throughout Metro Detroit!