Experience the changing role of the early automobile in everyday Americans' lives during the 57th annual Old Car Festival, Sept. 8-9 at Greenfield Village.
The nation's longest running antique car show, the Old Car Festival runs from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 9. The event is free with membership or village admission. Admission is $20 adults, $19 seniors, and $14 youth; children under 5 are free. For ticket information, visit www.thehenryford.org or call 1-313- 982-6001.
More than 600 steam, electric and gasoline-powered antique vehicles dating from the 1890s through the 1930s will be displayed and paraded through the village streets, with dozens of other activities for all ages to celebrate these treasures from America's automotive past.
Festivities include:
•"Simply Gershwin": Celebrate the beloved music of legendary American composer George Gershwin in this 30-minute music and comedy presentation at the Town Hall at 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
•Junior Driver's Ed: Children can operate their own pedal-car version of a Model T near the Roundhouse all day Saturday and Sunday.
• Pass-In-Review Parades: Join local historians Marty Bufalini, Bob Casey, David Liepelt and Glenn Miller near the Thomas Edison statue as they discuss the finer points of authentic bicycles and vehicles. A panel of judges will announce their favorite historic automobile of the 57th annual Old Car Festival at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Parades run at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday.
•Canadian Model T Assembly Team: Join the crowd at Walnut Grove and be amazed as five men assemble and drive a Model T in 10 minutes or less at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
•1920s Auto Touring Presentation: Join historian Daniel Hershberger next to the Scotch Settlement School as he discusses the power and styling of the vehicles of the 1920s at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
•Automobile Demonstrations: Learn how different types of antique vehicles are operated, as shown by historian Wade Leonard in Walnut Grove at noon, 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Car Games: Watch a battle of early motoring skills in Walnut Grove from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• Historic Auto Literature Sale: Browse through The Henry Ford's oversupply of automotive literature, including the Big Three and foreign manufacturers, at the Benson Ford Research Center. On sale will be sales literature, parts, service manuals and more from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
•Hotel Savarine Society Orchestra: Get ready to begin the beguine as the Hotel Savarine Society Orchestra plays the musical favorites of the Roaring '20s at 7 p.m. Saturday.
•Gaslight Parade of Cars: See all the best of the 57th annual Old Car Festival, as pre-1932 automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles take to the streets and motor through the Village at 8 p.m. Saturday.
•Fireworks Finale: Top off your day with a spectacular fireworks display over Greenfield Village, presented by Comcast at 9 p.m. Saturday.
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