America’s longest-running antique car show
displays hundreds of classic cars from 1890-1932
DEARBORN — The sights and sounds of hundreds of classic cars from the 1890s to 1932 will fill Greenfield Village for the 59th annual Old Car Festival, Sept. 12 to 13.
The village will be open with extended hours for special evening activities from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept.13. The Old Car Festival is free with Greenfield Village admission or membership to The Henry Ford; tickets cost $22 for adults, $21 for seniors (62 and older) and $16 for youths (ages 5 to 12). Children younger than 5 and members are free. For more information call (313) 982-6001 or go to thehenryford.org.
Historians Marty Bufalini, Bob Casey, David Liepelt, Glenn Miller and Ross Hill will be masters of ceremonies for the pass-in-review parades as they describe the unique collection of cars passing by the grandstand near the Thomas Edison statue.
A team from Canada will assemble a Model T in a few minutes. Also featured will be a bicycle parade, a 1920s auto touring presentation, car and bicycle games and get a chance to meet “Lizzie,” a Model T from the fleet at The Henry Ford.
Also, visitors can learn about Henry Ford’s rubber plantation in South America from Greg Grandin, author of “Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City” in the Village Pavilion.
Visitors also can dance to some 1920s favorites performed by The Hotel Savarine Society Orchestra; catch the Gaslight Parade of Cars, where automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles take to the streets after dark amid an array of gaslight, kerosene and early electric lamps; and finish the night off with a display of fireworks.
Music and dramatic performances are offered throughout both days, including “Simply Gershwin,” a 30-minute music and comedy revue; “The 1929 Medley,” a special medley of songs performed by the Greenfield Singers in celebration of the 80th anniversary of The Henry Ford; and “The Model T Medley,” a medley of Model T songs and jokes.
The Benson Ford Research Center also will host an open house and sale on vintage automotive literature and photographs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12.