Old Car Festival

Old Car Festival
September 8-9, 2012 (Open Saturday 'til 9pm)

America's Longest Running Antique Car Show

This Old Car Festival weekend, take in the spectacle as the streets and grounds of Greenfield Village are filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of hundreds of authentic vehicles from the 1890s through 1932. Enjoy a self-guided tour through this fabulous expositions and talk to proud owners about their treasured vehicles. Watch drivers engage in games of skill, see a Model T assembled in just minutes, attend fascinating presentations, and sit back and enjoy our experts sharing "car talks" while vintage vehicles pass by.

In this 61st year of the Old Car Festival, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first running of the Indianapolis 500 race.The history of American automobile racing is completely intertwined with the history of the American automobile industry. This will be an opportunity to see, and hear examples of early race cars.

Old Car Festival is free to members and free with Greenfield Village admission.

sample activities

GENERAL EVENTS

Benson Ford Research Center Open House
Saturday 9am-11am
(Click here to learn more.)

Benson Ford Research Center Book, Etc. Sale
Saturday 9am-5pm
(Click here to learn more.)

Bicycle games
Presented by the Wheelmen
2pm
In front of Wright Cycle Shop

1920s Auto Touring
Special in-depth presentation about early car camping with historian Daniel Hershberger
12:30pm & 3:30pm
Next to Scotch Settlement School

Car Games
Competition in early motoring skills
11:30am-4pm
Walnut Grove

Automobile demonstrations
Learn about the evolution of the automobile and many of its accessories that we take for granted today
Presented by historian Wade Leonard.
Noon, 1pm, 2:30pm & 3:30pm
Walnut Grove

Canadian Model T Assembly Team
Watch a Model T be assembled in minutes!
12:30pm & 3pm

PASS-IN-REVIEW PARADES
Join historians Marty Bufalini, Bob Casey, David Liepelt, Glenn Miler and Ross Hill
Reviewing stand near Thomas Edison statue

Saturday, September 10

11am – Bicycles

1pm – Comercial Vehicles and Automobiles through 1924

6pm – Race Cars
For nearly as long as there has been automobiles, there has been automobile racing. So many engineering and safety advances in automobile technology have come directly from advances made on the race track. See and hear early examples of race cars as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

Sunday, September 11

11am – Bicycles and Motorcycles

Noon – Steam and Electric Cars

1pm – Race Car immediately followed by Automobiles 1925-1932

Awards Ceremony to immediately follow last Pass-in-Review

AWARDS CEREMONY
Presentation of judging awards following final Pass-in-Review Parade.

Sunday, September 11
Reviewing stand near Thomas Edison statue

SPECIAL SATURDAY EVENING EVENTS

Concert and Dancing
Featuring The Hotel Savarine Society Orchestra performing favorite dance tunes of the 1920s.
7pm
Reviewing stand near Thomas Edison statue

Gaslight Parade of Cars
Take in the sights of hundreds of pre-1932 automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles as they take to the streets of Greenfield Village after dark amid an array of gaslight, kerosene, and early electric lamps.
7pm

Fireworks show
9pm

SPECIAL EVENTS

Race Cars Presentation
For nearly as long as there have been automobiles, there has been automobile racing. So many engineering and safety advances in automobile technology have come directly from advances made on the race track. See and hear early examples of race cars as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

Junior Driver’s Ed
Pedal cars for children 6 & under
All day (until 7pm Saturday)
Near Roundhouse

Model T Rides
Ford Motor Company Building
*Additional Fee Applies

Meet "Lizzie"
Climb in a Model T and learn the history, social significance and operational basics
of a Model T.
10-11:30am Saturday and Sunday
Near Entrance of Greenfield Village

SPECIAL DEMOSTRATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Indianapolis 500 Related Vehicles Display
Village Green

DRAMATIC PRESENTATIONS

The Disagreeable Customer
Shopkeeper J.R. Jones has his hands full in this charming 10-minute show as he waits on pompous Mrs. Cleveland who is "rusticating" in Waterford away from the hustle and bustle of her hometown, Detroit.
11:30am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm & 4:00pm
General Store

LIVE MUSIC

Cole Porter Medley
A 10-minute medley tunes and other favorites by Porter performed by the Greenfield Singers.
11:30am (plus 6:15pm on Sat. & 3:00 on Sun.)
Inside Town Hall

The Model Three, a male trio
The talented tenor, baritone, and bass who make up The Model Three sing beloved songs from the 1890s through the 1930s complete with period harmonies.
12:00pm (plus 6:00pm on Saturday & 2:15pm on Sunday)
Inside Town Hall
11:00pm (plus 5:00pm on Saturday)
Near Model T Leading Dock

The Village Trio, a female trio
The talented soprano, mezzo soprano, and alto who make up the Village Trio sing beloved songs from the 1890s through the 1930s complete with period harmonies and nostalgic dance moves.
2:00pm (plus 3:00pm & 4:15pm on Saturday)
Town Hall
2:30pm & 3:45pm
Near Model T Leading Dock

Model T Medley
A 10-minute music medley with a dash of Model T humor.
12:30pm
(plus 5:30pm on Saturday & 4:15pm on Sunday)
Inside Town Hall

1929 Medley
A 15-minute music medley to celebrate The Henry Ford!
10:30am (plus 6:45pm on Saturday)
Inside Town Hall

Silver Strings Dulcimer Society
11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm
Bandstand near Covered Bridge

IDEAS & INNOVATIONS LECTURE

Racing Through Time: The Henry Ford Auto Racing Collections
Saturday, September 10
1pm
Martha-Mary Chapel
(Learn More)

“Motor City Shakedown” A Michigan Mystery
Saturday, September 10
3:30pm
Benson Ford Research Center
(Learn More)

pricing

All activities are free with Village admission.

MEMBERS free of charge
NON-MEMBER SENIORS age 62 & up, $22
ADULTS age 13-61, $24
YOUTH age 5-12, $17.50
CHILDREN 4 & under are free.

Parking is $5 per vehicle.

vacation packages

Make a weekend of it!
Affordable Vacation Packages to The Henry Ford include overnight accommodations and two tickets to two attractions (choose from Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village or Ford Rouge Factory Tour).

what to bring, what to wear

Greenfield Village is spread over dozens of acres-- comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes are a must. A large portion of activities are held outdoors, rain or shine. Dressing for the weather is a must. Bring umbrellas / rain gear and prepare for a wide range of temperatures, especially if you will be staying into Saturday evening. Folding chairs are also recommended for those who cannot stand for long periods.

Wheelchairs are available for a small fee at the Village entrance. Electric scooters are also available for a fee, but only in limited supply. Wheelchairs and scooters are rented on a first come, first served basis-- plan to arrive early if you need to rent them. You are welcome to bring your own wheelchair or scooter, however, upright scooters (Segways) are not allowed on premises.

Children's wagons are also available to rent for a fee at the Village entrance. You are welcome to bring your own stroller or wagon, however, recreational scooters, bicycles or in-line / in-sole skates are not allowed inside the Village gates.

Bring a camera; photography is allowed in all areas of the Village.

special

Tickets to Greenfield Village are available online, through The Henry Ford Call Center (open 7 days a week, 9am - 5pm) 313-982-6001 and at all admissions counters. Tickets can be mailed when reservations are made 2 weeks or more in advance. Tickets purchased less than 2 weeks out will be held at Village Will Call.

directions/maps

The Henry Ford is located in Dearborn, Michigan on the corner of Village Road and Oakwood Boulevard, just west of the Southfield Freeway (M-39) and south of Michigan Avenue (US-12).

The Henry Ford
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Dearborn, MI 48124-4088

From the East or West via I-94:
Take I-94 to the Oakwood Blvd exit; go north on Oakwood. The Henry Ford is 2.5 miles from the exit on the corner of Village Rd and Oakwood Blvd.

From the South via I-75:
Exit to northbound Southfield Freeway (M-39), drive 4.1 miles to Oakwood Boulevard (Exit 4). Left on Oakwood and drive 1.8 miles.

From the North via Southfield Road (or I-96):
Take Southfield Freeway (M-39) South 4.5 miles past I-96 and exit at Michigan avenue (Exit 6). Continue on the Southfield service drive (veer left) for .5 miles. At the first stop light, turn right onto Village Road (through the iron gates) and drive 3/4 miles.

Metro-Detroit often has major construction projects. Please check the following sites for the latest on construction areas and road closures.

Michigan Department of Transportation

AAA Traffic & Construction Report