Detroit (WWJ) -- August should be a big month for people who love classic cars. The Woodward Dream Cruise will be joined by a series of other events under the title "Cruising MotorCities."
The weeklong auto-tourism festival, organized by the MotorCities National Heritage Area, is designed to populate downtown Detroit and the region with a festival of activities during the weekend and week prior to the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise.
"Cars are an important part of our past, our present and our future," said Gary Familian, managing director, MotorCities National Heritage Area. "This is an opportunity to celebrate one of the industries that made the D what we are today. We really encourage everyone to cruise MotorCities, take in the sights and sounds of all that makes this a great region, right in our backyards!"
The week runs Aug. 8-16.
"The Motor City will be revved up with excitement this summer," said Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, and chairman of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Cruisin' MotorCities will have events that appeal to everyone and should be a huge tourism draw for our region this year, and years to come. And that's a good thing for all the municipalities throughout the metropolitan Detroit area, the state, our residents as well as visitors to the area."
The week will kick off with a free Detroit Festival of Speed and Style which includes a "Hot Latin Night" on Aug. 8, featuring high-style, low-rider custom cars and hot rods set to exciting Latin and Hispanic music. The Festival itself takes place on Sunday, Aug. 10 and features vehicles that link the world's classic cars with high performance factory-built cars and motorcycles from the 1950s, '60s and '70s.
An AutoFair runs from Aug. 9-16 at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. AutoFair offers car shows and displays, manufacturer's midway, automotive art exhibits, parts market, music and entertainment.
The Flint-to-the-Fairgrounds Motorcycle Ride runs Aug 9-10 The ride includes a Saturday night reception at the Alfred P. Sloan Museum to see the "Rides and Rebels" motorcycle exhibition.
Sunday, the ride itself travels from Flint to the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills before continuing to the Michigan State Fairgrounds for a BBQ and concert.
On Aug. 11, The Whitney Restaurant will hold a Garden Party and Classic Car Show. Classic Chrysler and MOPAR muscle cars will be the fare for the evening.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the GM Heritage Center and the GM Headquarters will be hosting tours. Fans can begin with a visit to the GM Heritage Center for a special tour to see its stunning collection of GM vehicles before touring the GM Renaissance Center headquarters and the new Detroit Riverwalk.
Wednesday, Aug. 13 there will be a sunset cruise along the Detroit River for the AFL-CIO Boat Tour. Participants will be able to board the Michigan Princess River Boat and participate in conversation on the history of the auto industry and the labor that powers it while enjoying the remarkable scenery including many interesting automotive heritage sites.
Thursday, Aug. 14, has Model Ts Live at Campus Martius Park. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the car that put the world on wheels, The Henry Ford will provide free Model T rides around Campus Martius Park.
Also. the Woodward Dream Cruise Downtown Detroit Event, the anchor event of Cruisin' MotorCities, arrives in full force. The theme of the afternoon Tigers game at Comerica Park is "Celebrating the Woodward Dream Cruise."
The fun continues after the last pitch with a street scene event along Madison Street where hundreds of classic cars will be on display. The Detroit Opera House will be a focal point where guests can enjoy chamber music, finger food, air conditioning and indoor plumbing while viewing the collection of vintage cars and participating in games and activities. The Opera House is by invitation only and is a fund raiser for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 15 brings "A Michigan Drive-Thru Memory by Big Boy" at the State Fairgrounds, complete with roller skating waiters and waitresses.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, the Woodward Dream Cruise will parad past the fairgrounds.
While most Cruisin' MotorCities events are free and open to the public, some will be fundraisers and charge an admission fee.
Click here for a complete listing of Cruisin' MotorCities events and schedules.
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