Love Old Cars? Head to Greenfield Village Sept. 8-9
The Old Car Festival returns for its 62nd year this weekend.
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Cruises and car shows are a part of the fabric of summer in southeast Michigan, providing a mixed showcase of old and new vehicles to ooh and ahh over.
But there's only one show where there's no admittance under the age of 80.
The 62nd annual Old Car Festival returns to Greenfield Village in Dearborn Sept. 8-9, featuring hundreds of cars made from 1890-1932.
Enjoy the sights and sounds as cars participate in pass-in-review parades judged by a panel of automotive historians. Learn about the progress made in the automotive industry and the many accessories we take for granted today in a special presentation from historian Wade Leonard.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can witness the entire assembly of a Model T in minutes by the Canadian Model T Assembly Team, test their early motoring skills with our car games at Walnut Grove, or take a ride in one of The Henry Ford's historic Model Ts.
New this year, the Auto Touring exhibit will be presenting a special timeline focused on the evolution of automobile touring.
Featured on the timeline is the first trailer unit produced by the Covered Wagon Company of Michigan on loan from the Detroit Historical Society. With its small fixed-roof and rigid-sides, this 1929 travel trailer essentially launched the modern trailer industry. Roadside Historian Daniel Hershberger will provide a special in-depth presentation on early car camping throughout the weekend.
On Saturday evening, guests can watch hundreds of pre-1932 cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles as they take to the streets of Greenfield Village after dark amid an array of gaslight, kerosene and early electric lamps. Dance tunes of the 1920s performed by The Hotel Savarine Society Orchestra will accompany the trip back in time, and a fireworks show will cap off the evening.
The Old Car Festival will run Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Admittance is free with membership or admission to Greenfield Village; tickets are $24 for adults, $22for seniors (62 and up) and $17.50 for youth (5-12). Children four and under are free.
For more information, call 313-982-6001 or visit www.thehenryford.org.
Lee Jacobsen
12:00 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
As Jessica mentioned, The Old Car Festival, the country's longest running car show.
Saturday evening is always special, as dusk approaches, all the many varieties of street lights at the Village come on, hundreds of the old cars form a huge Conga line and drive around the village streets, showing off their 'gas lites', and the experience of hearing them 'chug' around the roads is unforgettable. Cops in period dress try to maintain order, directing traffic, but it is a losing battle, as mayhem seems to be everywhere, in a fun way, as the old cars seem to be everywhere, driving about. During the day, most cars are stationary, waiting their turn for some conversation in front of the grandstands, such as the Model T Ford owner explaining how to cook a roast or hot dogs on the engine block, and passing out samples!! These were options offered back then......drive all day, eat a hot meal courtesy of your Ford.
Fireworks will end the evening on Saturday. A great event attended and anticipated by participants from all over the world.
Right in our backyard, in our town.....Dearborn.
One reason we are lucky to live in Dearborn, Home of Henry Ford.