Old Car Festival drives through Greenfield Village

Ursula Watson / The Detroit News

This summer we enjoyed major events such as the Woodward Dream Cruise and the Belle Isle Grand Prix, but there’s one more car-centric celebration — The Henry Ford’s 58th annual Old Car Festival.

More than 750 cars from the 1890s to the 1930s, including 200 Model Ts, will cruise the grounds of Greenfield Village on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the cars, there will be live music, an automobile parade, a bicycle parade, games and more.

Jim Johnson, The Henry Ford’s senior manager of creative programs, says the event draws 10,000 people each day. Obviously, the stars of the festival are the cars, which are driven throughout the village. For many owners of classic cars, the festival has become a family tradition, Johnson says.

“I find it remarkable that for those who have cars that participate, many have been to all 58 festivals,” he says. “In one family, second to third generations will bring the same car that has been with the family for over 75 or 100 years.”

The festival also includes lectures about the Model T, an open house at the Benson Ford Research Center, automobile demonstrations and junior driver’s education, where little ones can tool around in reproduction pedal cars, circa 1950s and 1960s.

You can reach Ursula Watson at (313) 222-2613 or uwatson@detnews.com.