Saturday, August 06, 2011

Metro Detroit Car Shows & Cruises - August 2011

Downtown Mount Clemens Car Show - August 6, 2011 2pm-10pm
This show is hosting it's 20th anniversary this year! Sponsored by Bud Light, I have attended this downtown cruise a few times in the past, and can attest, it'll be a huge turnout, in a very cool setting throughout downtown Mount Clemens. The show is free, with $5 VIP parking available. There is a kids fun zone with inflatable slide, moonwalk, Thomas the Train, face painting, and magic acts. Eric the DJ will cover the tunes, awards will be handed out at 5:30pm, and a flame thrower competition will be held at night. I would say that this will be the biggest/best show in the region today, and am tentatively planning on making it to the show myself.

Saline, Michigan Downtown Car Show - August 6, 2011 9am-3pm
Downtown Saline, Michigan will be hosting a downtown car show. Registration will be $15 the day of the event, with the first 25 registered receiving a free t-shirt. Door prizes will be given out throughout the day, and a silent auction will also take place, benefiting the Saline Area Social Services. All makes and models are welcome, with awards being selected by participants. Last year's show had 120 cars. A live band will also be present for entertainment.

Sears Outlet Auto Show - August 6, 2011 10am-5pm
Located at 9860 Telegraph Rd in Taylor, MI, just south of I94. The show starts at 10 am and goes until 5 pm. I actually think this one will be the show I make this weekend, as will the cruise the night before located at Southfield Rd/Dix-Toledo at another Sears store.

Gratiot Cruise Clinton Township - August 7, 2011
Not to be left out, Clinton Township host their own Gratiot Cruise. I may or may not hit this show up, but it sounds like a nice event leading up to the Dream Cruise.

Troy Traffic Jam - August 7, 2011
This will be the 4th year for the City of Troy car show. Held at the Columbia center, the show runs from 10am-3pm. In addition to the cars, musical entertainment and food will be available on site. The Suburban Collection will have some of their newest cars on display at the show. Hundreds of vehicles are expected, registration will run you $20 and goodie bag, prizes, and dash plaque. All proceeds will benefit the Troy Historical Society.

31st Annual Mopar Nationals National Raceway Trail Columbus, OH - August 12-14, 2011
If I am still off work, this is the car show I'd really like to hit for a day or two. While not exactly in the Motor City, it's close enough on my map to be noteworthy. Plus, the fact that the P.O. Box for registration is in Dearborn, MI has to count for something. (Registration for the Mopar Nationals is in Ford country? Odd)

Cars and Coffee Detroit - August 13, 2011
This show is hosted at Motor City Casino, literally just around the corner from me maybe 1/2 mile away. This show has been happening once a month since June, and I'm just now finding out about it. The show runs from 8am-11am, all makes/models of cars, including motorcycles, are welcome. Coffee and donuts will be provided free of charge. The lot to park in is located at Brooklyn and Spruce, The Soundboard parking lot.

Cruisin' in the Motor City - August 13, 2011
In the heart of Detroit, the Motor City looks to start taking part in the events surrounding and leading up to the Woodward Dream Cruise. The first annual Cruisin' in the Motor City will take place on John R between Kirby and Warren, just a hop, skip, and smokey burnout from where I live. Unfortunately, I may be back to work by then, and the website doesn't list hours for the event. Cars from the Motorsports Hall of Fame will be on display in front of the Detroit Science Center, special "artistic" vehicles will be on display in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and vehicles designed or engineered by African Americans in front of the Charles H. Wright Museum.

Rockin' Rods in Rochester - August 14, 2011
Hosted in downtown Rochest, this Sunday show sounds like a winner. The show starts at 9am and wraps up at 5pm. In addition to the car show, the event has live music, automotive art, food/refreshments, 50/50 raffle, posters, t-shirts, and pin stripe art by The Mavens.

Back to the Bricks Flint - August 16-20, 2011
This is Flints answer to Woodward, and a show that I've been told by friends has grown to become an amazing show! I've heard many gripes about the size, congestion, too many mini vans, etc when it comes to Woodward's Dream Cruise. For a few of my friends, Flint's Back to the Bricks show has been the answer/alternative they were looking for. While I'm not sure I'll ever pry myself away from Woodward to check it out, it sounds like I would enjoy it every bit as much as Woodward.

Woodward Dream Cruise - August 20, 2011
The Woodward Dream Cruise...what can I say that hasn't been said? This is THE car show, the largest in the world, the granddaddy of them all. Stretching from 8 mile to Pontiac, some 16 miles long, with cars lining both sides and every available lot along the way. I've heard numbers as high as 40,000 classic cars and over a million spectators, both numbers that I feel are actually UNDER estimates. This is a show not to be missed, and one that I have attended every year except for the first show, even during an 8 year stretch when my Camaro was collecting dust in a garage, awaiting to be rebuilt. I'll be there again this year, with Camaro and camera.

Cruisin' Hines Drive - August 28, 2011
Hines Drive is a cool place to cruise, classic car or not. The fact that it will be shut down for classic cars is the icing on the cake! As long as Hines Drive isn't flooded due to a light shower, this could prove to be a great end of the season cruise!

Harper Ave Cruise - August 31, 2011
This is one cruise that has completely slipped under my radar. It has apparently been going on now for 17 years. Breaking with tradition of weekend cruises, the Harper Ave cruise is always on a Wednesday. The cruise travels Harper Ave from Old 8 mile to Bayside St.

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