Every Mustang Lover Must Attend the Woodward Dream Cruise, Aug. 17
Ford Mustang is the most popular car at Detroit’s incredible event, with the biggest single-model display.
While we don’t have any official statistics, anyone who has attended the Woodward Dream Cruise will likely agree that the Ford Mustang is the most popular car at the unique event in Metro Detroit. Whether you are talking about the tens of thousands of vehicles on the 16-mile cruise route itself or the endless numbers of vehicles lining the parking lots along that stretch, the mighty Mustang is everywhere, but if you want to see an epic collection of the original pony car in one place, Mustang Alley is the place to be.
In fact, the massive Ford corporate display that extends along 9 Mile Road in both directions crossing Woodward Avenue, which includes Mustang Alley, is worth the trip to Detroit on its own, but while you are there, you can enjoy the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Ford at the Dream Cruise
Chevrolet has two corporate displays at the Woodward Dream Cruise and Chrysler used to have a large display, but in the past decade, no automaker has put together a layout that could rival that of Ford Motor Company. Located at the intersection of 9 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, Michigan, the Ford display serves as the southern end of the cruise route while the “Woodward Loop” in Pontiac serves as the northern end.
Ford’s display extends along 9 Mile Road, away from Woodward to the east and west, with tons of new vehicles on display, food and beverage stands, fun for the kids and live entertainment. On the western side of the display in past years, there is a collection of new Ford trucks, a stage for live music, food and beverage stands and a family fun area with things like bounce houses and spray-on tattoo vendors.
The street is closed, so there is plenty of room to roam, making this the best place for families to hang out at the Dream Cruise. There are also some restaurants along this stretch and plenty of public parking on the west side of Woodward.
On the east side of the cruise route, the Ford factory display on 9 Mile Road generally begins with a new Mustang suspended on its side, giving attendees a chance to see the pony car from every angle.
That car is generally joined by an assortment of new Mustangs parked on their tires, along with other performance models like the Focus RS and the Fiesta ST. In this area, you will also find Ford apparel for sale as well as more food and beverages, but this stretch of 9 Mile Road plays home to one of the greatest automotive displays you will ever see.
This is, of course, Mustang Alley.
Woodward’s Crown Jewel
Even if you aren’t a hardcore Ford fan, Mustang Alley is an amazing display, covering nearly a mile of 9 Mile Road with absolutely nothing but Mustangs.
Every generation, every trim level and every aftermarket tuning package, including a ton of race cars, are lined up side-by-side on both sides of the road. In addition to the cars on the road, literally every parking lot along that stretch is also filled with Mustangs, so as you make the walk down 9 Mile Road, you won’t see another vehicle shy of a few big rig tow vehicles.
Mustang Alley is so packed and so impressive that it is hard to explain, but attendees are likely to see a model that they have never seen before, only to see another one further down the road.
Displays along this stretch vary, but in the past, Mustang drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. has had a large display, Roush often has a big spread in one of the parking lots and there are usually parking areas filled with Shelby models.
Best of all, if you have a Ford Mustang and you want to be a part of the festivities, parking in Mustang Alley only costs $20, but parking it limited and it generally sells out.
Once it is sold out, you can still attend the Woodward Dream Cruise with your pony car and check out the sprawling Ford display, but you won’t be able to park in Mustang Alley. Click here for more info on parking with thousands of other Mustangs.
This year’s Woodward Dream Cruise is being held on August 17, but there is automotive fun to be had along the cruise route throughout the week leading up to the day of the big cruise. The event should be on the bucket list of any gearhead, but if you are a Ford Mustang fan or owner, you will see pony cars like never before.