Category: Woodward Dream Cruise
Posted by Doug Guthrie (The Detroit News) on Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 10:32 PMAnd it's over
The roar of big block V8s has been replaced on Woodward Avenue by the roar of police motorcycles and flashing red and blue lights.
Woodward has reopened to traffic (at 10 p.m.) after a brief shutdown, but there is a heavy police presence that will remain through most of the night. More than 50 police motorcycles from agencies throughout the Woodward corridor hit the street in two impressive packs, circulating in fast-moving packs and sending the message that the fun was over.
"People understand. It's over with," said Oakland County Sheriff's Sgt. Joe Lambourn. "It's been a long day."
The crowds that had lined Woodward packed up their lawn chairs, tents and barbecues and headed to cars that were often parked far, far away.
Brian Meissner of Macomb Township arrived at 6 a.m. to set up curbside tents for a gathering of Camaro and Firebird owners.
"There's something very unique about the Woodward Cruise," he said. "There is no other city in America that could do this. No other place where there are so many people who simply love cars. And at the Cruise the people sitting along the curb next to you become your best friends."
"We just love all the cars, the old ones especially," said Brenda Evans, 54, of Southfield, who attends the cruise every year with her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. They were carrying their belongings away from Woodward on 13 Mile Road at 9:45 p.m.
"It wasn't as many people as before, but it was still a great show," Evans said.
