Old Car Festival in Greenfield Village Is The Longest Running Antique Car Show In America (September 9-10, 2023)
September 9, 2023 @ 9:00 am - September 10, 2023 @ 5:00 pm
$35
(Updated: August: 17, 2023) — Come see the Longest-Running Antique Car Show In America at the “Old Car Festival” at the Greenfield Village Car Museum in Dearborn, Michigan on September 9–10, 2023. Greenfield Village is a 1900’s replica city that will host a two-day festival including antique car experiences, historically styled food, car-themed events, Dixie-Land Music, an antique car show, and a Disney-style parade.
Greenfield Village offers an immersive, historic, fun-filled family event of parading antique automotive cars, paved streets, gas-powered street lamps, and live music and dancing from the River Raisin Ragtime Band. Enjoy car talks with passionate historians, car owners, and automotive experts while overlooking hundreds of historic autos, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Afterward, you will be able to witness awards for the best restored and unrestored cars. Throughout the car show, you will be able to watch a live demonstration of a Ford Motors team assembling a Model T from scratch. The event ends with a Saturday evening Gaslight Car Parade through the brick-paved streets while whistling to Dixie-Land-themed music.
SPECIAL FEATURED EVENTS
Antique vehicle demonstrations & experiences will be held in Walnut Grove. The demonstration offers guests the opportunity to actually ride in and experience the feel of an authentic antique car. This includes a narrated demonstration of how to install vehicle-side curtains as well as a history of various types of early lighting. This lighting demonstration includes the first automotive acetylene headlights, propane lamps, and steam cars.
The Old Car Festival features an early 1900s’ band, early 1920s’ food, and roasted peanut stand, freshly prepared grilled country cooking, and a 1900s’ themed fair with wooden carved games for the kids.
Car Games Event – The Car Games will also be held at Walnut Grove, which will offer car owners the opportunity to show off their antique vehicle driving skills.
THIS IS A MUST-SEE VIDEO
The Gaslight Tour – The Gaslight Tour (more like a 1900’s street party ) begins at 7:00 pm as the sun sets. Everyone is invited to attend the final event—with more details to follow. Last-minute updates are available at (https://www.thehenryford.org/current-events/calendar/old-car-festival/).
Awards Presentation – Three antique car collector awards will be presented on Sunday at approximately 4:30 pm at the vehicle Pass-in-Review stand (more like a big grandstand). Awards include the Popular Choice Award, The Curator’s Choice Award, and the Best-of-Show Award. The presentation of the awards will take place at the Pass-in-Review stand.
The Old Car Festival Shows Off With Original Antique Car Demonstrations & Experiences, Antique Car Motoring Games From Car Owners, Gas Light Tours Where Everything Was Before Electricity, And Multiple Car Collectors Awards For Best Antique Car Presentations At The Car Show.
ABOUT THE GREENFIELD VILLAGE CAR SHOW & MUSEUM
At the longest-running antique car show in America, you will be immersed in the moving stories of the early automotive era, perfectly set in the place where the history of the American automobile not only is passionately preserved but also comes to life every day.
From the turn of the century to the Great Depression, Old Car Festival in Greenfield Village offers a raucous ride of vehicles that epitomize the earnest optimism of the American Dream.
Walk along Main Street filled with holiday items, food, and hot drinks. You can also ride an old Model T, carousel, or wagon pulled by horses. Step inside old houses to see how families have celebrated for years.
Generations of car owners share their passion with fans during this beloved tradition, showcasing an astounding array of restored vehicles in an authentic hometown setting that brings you right into a long-ago moment.
Wander through the Village and talk to owners about their treasured vehicles. The ongoing Pass-in-Review parade is a car lover’s dream, as electric, steam and gas-powered engines are constantly in motion around you. Watch drivers engage in games of skill, see a Model T assembled in just minutes, or just sit back and enjoy our experts sharing “car talks” while historic vehicles cruise.
VIDEO: Assembling A Ford Model T In Under 10 Minutes At Greenfield Village
Ragtime America comes to life in the center of Greenfield Village with historically-inspired street food, music, dancing, and even a cakewalk. Plan to stay late Saturday evening for the Gaslight Parade of Cars, and dance along with popular music of the Ragtime era. Cap off the evening with a Dixieland-style parade and a fireworks finale. Source: https://www.thehenryford.org/
TICKET & ADMISSION PRICES
*Membership is FREE for all Henry Ford Museum Members.
Non-member prices are listed below.
Non-Member Tickets
General Admission $35.00 (BUY TICKETS HERE)
Senior (Age 62+) $31.50
Youth (Ages: 5-11) $26.25
Child (4 & Under) Free
PARKING
The event provides overnight parking for campers, motorhomes, and trailers. All overnight parking is within walking distance of the Greenfield Village car show.
Shuttle service is provided between the parking lot and the Eagle Tavern. After the car show, you can pick up the shuttle, which is near the Eagle Tavern. Wristbands are required for all shuttles to and from the Greenfield Village car show.
GREENFIELD VILLAGE FACEBOOK PAGE
NEW AT GREENFIELD VILLAGE IN 2023: Exhibits: “Indiana Autos”
Indiana rivaled Michigan in the prowess and scale of its automotive industry. Established in 1898, Haynes-Apperson was among the nation’s pioneering automobile firms. Duesenberg and Marmon set benchmarks in luxury and engineering excellence.
FACTOID: Haynes-Apperson Company was a manufacturer of Brass Era automobiles in Kokomo, Indiana, from 1896 to 1905. It was the first automobile manufacturer in Indiana, and among the first in the United States. Elwood Haynes, one of the founders, worked on early types of stainless steel and was the inventor of stellite, and many of the early advances in automobile technology were first invented by the company.
The 1907 Apperson “Big Dick” was built between 1907-1908. The Apperson Big Dick had 96 horsepower and cost about $15,000. Apperson put their race engine in a 50-hp Jackrabbit runabout to create the “Big Dick” The Big-Dick 96-hp racer held the record for the highest advertised horsepower vehicle in an American automobile until 1914.Image courtesy AACA Library
McFarlan crafted some of the period’s most coveted vehicles. Stutz introduced America to its America’s original sports car.. Studebaker, initially based in Detroit, relocated its production to South Bend in the 1920s. Furthermore, Indiana’s own Carl Fisher initiated the iconic Indianapolis 500— a racing event that remains unparalleled. We honor the legacy of the Hoosier State, spotlighting its illustrious automotive heritage.
Your Experience Includes
- Dive into captivating automotive history scenes.
- Explore a vast collection of historic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles.
- Savor street food with a touch of history.
- Swing to the live rhythms of the River Raisin Ragtime Revue.
- Engage in enlightening chats with car owners, automotive historians, and experts.
- Witness the grand Pass-in-Review parade.
- Experience unique demonstrations.
- Celebrate excellence with awards for the finest restored and untouched vehicles.
- Watch the magic of a Live Ford Model T assembly team.
- End your Saturday with the enchanting Gaslight Parade of Cars, illuminated by kerosene and early electric lamps, followed by a lively Dixieland-style procession.
