It's Dream Cruise time!

[Thruster315]

I love the Magic Bag, its a great venue. But I'll disagree with them on the cruise. With a little marketing savvy they should be able to find a way to take advantage of all those people. Don't curse the darkness dudes, light a candle.

I heard an interview with the owner of the Magic Bag on WDET yesterday and yes, he's tried to engage the event. He's had ZERO success. He's had a late night showing of "Rebel Without a Cause" a few years back for FREE and hardly anyone showed. The only mild success that he's had has been to have Bo Diddley play there and I guess that was even limited success. According to him if one doesn't sell cheap food or have parking, this weekend is a loss to them.

He sounded open for suggestions though.

I'm not so sure how he could engage this event. He's got one of those businesses that requires an active consumer participation within his facility- and on a day when the focus is on what's on the streets, it's got to be tough.

It's not unrealistic to expect some retail "casualties" this weekend. But the way I would embrace this weekend is to call it a holiday for them and their employees. People complain when they have to work and now people are complaining of people having to take a weekend off. This is a damned if you do, damned if you don't event for people.

[stinkytofu]

Laughing and laughing at your jealousy! Doing this all while I cruise in my 1968 Pontiac GTO Convertible and have LOTS of pretty girls ask for a ride in the car. Its one week out of the year to enjoy an activity that made us famous. If you cannot deal with that its time to move to some place that actually cares about your hybrid!

Get over yourself.

[Kathleen]

On Facebook, there's a page of all the suggestions for the marquee on the Magic Bag. Oh, man, it is HILARIOUS!

This year's marquee:

Dream Cruise: Avoiding the actual Motor City since 1995.

I know that there is not much room on the marquee, but this one ain't very original.

As far as the Magic Bag and the Dream Cruise....why not sponsor something musical outdoors for the goodwill of Ferndale? Whatever the owners do during the Dream Cruise should be something that complements the event and draw more people to their city, which in turn might bring them back for the restaurants, bars, and events at the Magic Bag.

[p69rrh51]

Get over yourself.

Not anytime soon!

[Thruster315]

As far as the Magic Bag and the Dream Cruise....why not sponsor something musical outdoors for the goodwill of Ferndale? Whatever the owners do during the Dream Cruise should be something that complements the event and draw more people to their city, which in turn might bring them back for the restaurants, bars, and events at the Magic Bag.

I couldn't agree more. Sometimes it's just a civic thing to do as opposed to the bottom line.

But then I seriously don't know how much property or square footage they have beyond their storefront to do much. I was thinking they could even open up their lobby and sell drinks & munchies- but again, that might entail having hired employees there to man the place. And is it worthy that sort of aggregation. As a business owner I'm sure he's at some point got to balance his profit margins. But then what other day of the year is he going to have 1.5 million people driving by his store front.

I sometimes even wonder if by being semi-sarcastic- even snarky with his marquee signage, is he doing more harm to his business than good?

[Shyid]

Laughing and laughing at your jealousy! Doing this all while I cruise in my 1968 Pontiac GTO Convertible and have LOTS of pretty girls ask for a ride in the car. Its one week out of the year to enjoy an activity that made us famous. If you cannot deal with that its time to move to some place that actually cares about your hybrid!

I for one am insanely jealous that I'm not macking on baby boomers while idling down Woodward at 10 miles an hour. That's why I'm enviously watching you do it from my lawn chair sitting in my computer chair biding my time until this week long traffic jam clears so I can finally go buy some groceries...

[p69rrh51]

I for one am insanely jealous that I'm not idling down Woodward at 10 miles an hour and macking on baby boomers. That's why I brought out my lawn chair to observe in glorious envy sat in my computer chair biding my time until I could finally go buy some groceries...

That is what having a friend with a a good party just off Woodward is for! I can have the best of both worlds time to let the GTO cool off and cruise when I want to. Also you should have planned ahead on your grocery shopping!

[stasu1213]

This year's marquee:

Dream Cruise: Avoiding the actual Motor City since 1995.

I know that there is not much room on the marquee, but this one ain't very original.

As far as the Magic Bag and the Dream Cruise....why not sponsor something musical outdoors for the goodwill of Ferndale? Whatever the owners do during the Dream Cruise should be something that complements the event and draw more people to their city, which in turn might bring them back for the restaurants, bars, and events at the Magic Bag.

We haven't Detroit became part of the dreamcrusie. I know now it's the economy. Why havent the Detroit stretched it's tentacles southbound on Woodward to at least Grand Blvd. It would had been a shorter trip than crusing to Pontiac

[p69rrh51]

We haven't Detroit became part of the dreamcrusie. I know now it's the economy. Why havent the Detroit stretched it's tentacles southbound on Woodward to at least Grand Blvd. It would had been a shorter trip than crusing to Pontiac

Although there was a little cruising to about 6 mile going back to the 1950's where the cruise is being staged is pretty much where it has always been on Woodward. My father talked about cruising Woodward in the 50's and the only time he went south of 8 Mile was to race between 6 Mile and 7 Mile. Just look up the icons of Woodward from the 1950's and 1960's they were all north of 8 Mile. So from a historical standpoint its exactly where its supposed to be.

[Packman41]

And who says Cruisers don't have a sense of humor??

As seen on a T-shirt on Woodward today:

[jtf1972]

I'm just glad I'm not the only person who thinks the "Dream Cruise" is for idiots. Love old cars, but this is purely Amateur Hour. It's like getting drunk on St. Patrick's Day.

I'm not going to name anybody, but I know someone who thinks it's a blast to go and cruise in it... in her 90's Nissan.

I do have to laugh when I see two idiots crying because they took their priceless vehicles into a mass congestion where everybody is rubber necking and had a little fender bender. Oopsie! Morons..

[Searay215]

I'm just glad I'm not the only person who thinks the "Dream Cruise" is for idiots. Love old cars, but this is purely Amateur Hour. It's like getting drunk on St. Patrick's Day.

I'm not going to name anybody, but I know someone who thinks it's a blast to go and cruise in it... in her 90's Nissan.

I do have to laugh when I see two idiots crying because they took their priceless vehicles into a mass congestion where everybody is rubber necking and had a little fender bender. Oopsie! Morons..

I guess I don't understand all the negativity in this post, I mean if you don't like it, why bring down everybody with your negative attitude?

Seriously, for one week its not going to kill anyone or anyones business....let it be. I've always felt that if it [[anything) doesn't adversely affect my life, let them do their thing.

[p69rrh51]

I guess I don't understand all the negativity in this post, I mean if you don't like it, why bring down everybody with your negative attitude?

Seriously, for one week its not going to kill anyone or anyones business....let it be. I've always felt that if it [[anything) doesn't adversely affect my life, let them do their thing.

EXACTLY!! Little people with little minds who will never get it! Also you could go to every automobile show in the midwest and never see as many cars as you do here this past week all for free. As for fender benders I have seen horrific accidents at sanctioned auto shows that happens everywhere. While there are few idiots are out there, I like the slow speed as I would never be able to see the cars if I was going the speed limit and really have to pay attention to all the traffic. For those little people as I mentioned earlier if you do not like it you can always move to an area that does not care about OUR heritage.

[softailrider]

I love the cruise, was out every night this week and some of the Fridays and Saturdays leading up to it. Birmingham, Royal Oak and Ferndale were jammed to the gills, people seemed to be having a great time, busiest time of the year that I know for for those places. All those people are spending money someplace, sorry it's not at the Magic Bag.

Wit all the above being said, I will admit that the cruise has become a bit of an overkill event.

[jtf1972]

Personally, I just get sick of all the commercialism and people asking "Are you going to the Dream Cruise?" When I express that I have no interest I typically get a deer in the headlights look and am asked why. Do I need to constantly explain how I am not a fan of traffic jams and wouldn't watch one if I was paid to, much less participate in one?

So I laugh at those who seem to have nothing better to do in life than the "Dream Cruise." I'll stay as far as I can from it.

[fryar]

Detroitnerd's post just quoted a facebook page with some snarky comments after being asked for a link, which was probably pretty tame, all in all, for the nerd.

Given the size and scope of the event at this point, I find it hard to imagine that the most appropriate course for the Dream Cruise does not venture into Detroit. I can understand that the Classic Car Display is in a locale which does not suffer from bad policing, but there is an actual cruise that could just as well circle past the fist, right?

The Dream Cruise's avoidance of Detroit is emphatic; like a deafening silence, it speaks volumes.

[Thruster315]

I guess I don't understand all the negativity in this post, I mean if you don't like it, why bring down everybody with your negative attitude?

Seriously, for one week its not going to kill anyone or anyones business....let it be. I've always felt that if it [[anything) doesn't adversely affect my life, let them do their thing.

I don't get the boo birds about any event either.

Years ago I had to work in Ann Arbor during the Art Fair. It was IMO a bigger pain in the ass than the Dream Cruise. Now I don't begrudge anyone that wants to go to that event. Go, have fun, see great art, and spend to your heart's content.

There are literally a ton of events that can be an inconvenience to daily living. Name a weekend art fair, a church carnival, a sports event, and y'know what? SOMEone is going to be inconvenienced. If it's really that bad [[and I'm not one to discount it for some people- I avoid the A2 Art Fair now)- just stay away. It's not like you have to rag on it to justify your disgust. I have a choice to attend or not as do any one else here. Now you might argue proximity to the event and being inconvenienced but are you that short sighted that a lot of other people might enjoy the event? I say let them have their fun.

And guess what- next year the Cruise is going to happen again. If you really don't like it- start planning NOW. You've been given more than advanced warning now.

[Thruster315]

Personally, I just get sick of all the commercialism and people asking "Are you going to the Dream Cruise?" When I express that I have no interest I typically get a deer in the headlights look and am asked why. Do I need to constantly explain how I am not a fan of traffic jams and wouldn't watch one if I was paid to, much less participate in one?

So I laugh at those who seem to have nothing better to do in life than the "Dream Cruise." I'll stay as far as I can from it.

And you choose to stay away because it's not your thing. I can easily and emphatically respect that. At least I don't sense some evil glee when something wrong happens at this event. You have complete dominion over your actions and choose to let others do the same.

[p69rrh51]

Detroitnerd's post just quoted a facebook page with some snarky comments after being asked for a link, which was probably pretty tame, all in all, for the nerd.

Given the size and scope of the event at this point, I find it hard to imagine that the most appropriate course for the Dream Cruise does not venture into Detroit. I can understand that the Classic Car Display is in a locale which does not suffer from bad policing, but there is an actual cruise that could just as well circle past the fist, right?

The Dream Cruise's avoidance of Detroit is emphatic; like a deafening silence, it speaks volumes.

No it doesn't!! Its the WOODWARD dream cruise not the Detroit dream cruise! Everyone is here to cruise where it happened and cruising for the most part never took place in Detroit so why should it go there?

[luckycar]

It was fun,had a great week.Stop bitching and go up north next year.I met people from out of town and a few of our Canadian cousins.People of all races who are total strangers,will talk about cars,family,the past,next year,KK!Hey its the boat race,opening day,the Thanksgiving parade,the fireworks and any other event we do.Just a week long celebration of SE Michigan.

[Cinderpath]

The Dream Cruise's avoidance of Detroit is emphatic; like a deafening silence, it speaks volumes.

And once again, folks on DYES, are quick to jump to conclusions, and try to be downers about life in general.

So lets turn back the clock, and look at the historical reason the *Woodward Dream Cruise* is where it is: Nelson House, a plumber from Ferndale, came up with the idea for the cruise in 1994 to help raise money for a children's soccer field in his community of Ferndale.^[3] Organizers initially expected 30,000 or 40,000 people to come to the August 19, 1995 inaugural cruise on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak and Birmingham. About 250,000 actually showed up.^[3] It is now the largest single day classic car event in the world, and brings in over $56 million annually to the Metro Detroit economy.-from WIKI

-Gee the fact that it was started in Ferndale, and coordinated with the communities along the Woodward corridor. SPEAKS VOLUMES, about why it is still there.

[Mikeg]

And once again, folks on DYES, are quick to jump to conclusions, and try to be downers about life in general.

So lets turn back the clock, and look at the historical reason the *Woodward Dream Cruise* is where it is: Nelson House, a plumber from Ferndale, came up with the idea for the cruise in 1994 to help raise money for a children's soccer field in his community of Ferndale.^[3] Organizers initially expected 30,000 or 40,000 people to come to the August 19, 1995 inaugural cruise on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak and Birmingham. About 250,000 actually showed up.^[3] It is now the largest single day classic car event in the world, and brings in over $56 million annually to the Metro Detroit economy.-from WIKI

-Gee the fact that it was started in Ferndale, and coordinated with the communities along the Woodward corridor. SPEAKS VOLUMES, about why it is still there.

Listen as the "greatest orator of his generation" explains the reason for such divisive rhetoric over the Woodward Dream Cruise:

Look, Nelson House and the Woodward Dream Cruise organizers have been very successful, but everyone knows that they didn’t make it happen on their own. They and their volunteers think it must be because they've worked so hard to make it a success. Let me tell you something -- the only reason they've been successful is that "somebody" along the line either gave them some help or unwillingly gave up something that the organizers have exploited. "Somebody" invested in the roads that spectators and participants use to get to the Dream Cruise, including the grand Woodward Avenue that they cruise up and down on. "Somebody" gave up their right to use light rail so that Woodward Avenue could become a leafy boulevard perfect for cruising on warm summer nights. "Somebody" saw their neighbors "disinvest" in the city when they jumped in their autos and moved to the suburbs along the route of that leafy boulevard. "Somebody" worked their knuckles to the bone in a Big Three auto plant in Detroit, Hamtramck or Dearborn so that some rich kid could drive his daddy's company car and impress the "chicks" along the route of that leafy boulevard. If they’ve got the largest classic car event in the world -- they didn’t build that. "Somebody" else made that happen and it hurts them to have to watch this annual celebration of excess consumption being endlessly promoted in the media and to have to endure the intense traffic congestion it generates.

Rumor has it that he will be hosting a "beer summit" in early August 2013 between the "somebodies" and Dream Cruise organizers. Location to be announced in late November 2012.

[Kathleen]

...so that some rich kid could drive his daddy's company car and impress the "chicks" along the route of that leafy boulevard.

That might apply to only select parts of Woodward Avenue! Just ask most of the cruisers from the 50s and 60s what kind of car they were driving back then...and whether Daddy had a company car!!!

[Mikeg]

That might apply to only select parts of Woodward Avenue! Just ask most of the cruisers from the 50s and 60s what kind of car they were driving back then...and whether Daddy had a company car!!!

Ssshhhh! Don't let the facts get in the way of the "narrative" of the aggrieved.

[softailrider]

I'm just glad I'm not the only person who thinks the "Dream Cruise" is for idiots. Love old cars, but this is purely Amateur Hour. It's like getting drunk on St. Patrick's Day.

I'm not going to name anybody, but I know someone who thinks it's a blast to go and cruise in it... in her 90's Nissan.

I do have to laugh when I see two idiots crying because they took their priceless vehicles into a mass congestion where everybody is rubber necking and had a little fender bender. Oopsie! Morons..

Back in the day when we cruised Woodward Avenue we didn't have classic or expensive cars. We cruised in whatever we drove. If your friend wants to cruise down Woodward in her 90's Nissan it's fine with me.