Live in Birmingham: Cruisers Light Up the Night

10 p.m.:

As the night wore on and the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise officially came to a close at 9 p.m. Saturday, the streets were busier than ever.

Waving to the crowds at the intersection of Woodward and Maple, in fact, was none other than Batman. And on a bicycle, no less. 

What else was happening late night on Woodward?

• The line for the stretched almost to the road, as folks looking for a late-night treat.
• Groups of car watchers crowded near the road as the sun went down, urging passing cruisers to "light them up!" Some accomodated, performing illegal burnouts to the crowd's cheers.
• Carriers transporting display vehicles stretched down Woodward before being routed onto Maple into downtown Birmingham.
• Police officers gathered in the median at 9 p.m., ushering drivers onto side roads as the Cruise officially came to a close.

For more:

6 p.m.:

With so many cars on display at the Woodward Dream Cruise, it might be impossible to crown any one "the coolest" in Birmingham. However, Stan Swift's wooden-framed 1984 S10 had plenty of admirers just off the sidewalk in the Borders parking lot.

"It was easy for me to do because I built it the same way you'd build a boat: right-side up," said Smith, 61, of Eaton Rapids. "I raced boats for many years up in Pontiac."

Smith added that he believes using wood instead of steel proved less-expensive and more durable, long-term. Indeed — the S10 is his every-day vehicle. "365 days a year," he grinned.

– Tim Rath, West Bloomfield Patch

5:45 p.m.:

The Piety Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is providing a little shade for America's veterans this Dream Cruise.

The DAR is offering a hospitality tent for veterans in front of all day, as they work with the John D. Dingall VA Medical Center.

According to DAR representatives at the Cruise, the group was spending the day finding veterans and offering to take their pictures in a military-style Jeep. The DAR will then be creating a photo album from the day, while also giving the veterans their photo to take home.

If you haven't yet made it out and you are veteran, the DAR encourages you to wear or bring something along in remembrance of your service. Accomadations will be made for disabled veterans.

3:30 p.m.:

What's the hottest spot on Woodward in Birmingham? That may have to be Hunter House Hamburgers, where the tunes are classic and Elvis entertains the diners.

For more:

3:15 p.m.:

Not everyone is driving during the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise. The 98 Michigan Jaguars, a Detroit-based youth hockey team, is raising funds by riding 100 miles on stationary bikes outside .

For more:

Plus, what's a good Dream Cruise without some cheerleaders? The Detroit Pride Cheerleaders, a professional dance/cheer squad for Detroit-area teams, were in Birmingham until 3 p.m., cheering on the cruisers and handing out plenty of free calendars.

For more:

3 p.m.:

For Birmingham resident Denise Bianchini, the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise is a special one.

It's special because in 2012, she's not entertaining 200 people but merely sitting on the side of Woodward, watching the cruisers roll by.

"We had friends in town, so we're going to hang out here," she said, laughing. "Until the Kenny Chesney concert tonight."

Bianchini said for more than 10 years, she and her family hosted blowout bashes at their former home near 14 Mile and Woodward, oftentimes with more than 200 friends and family in attendence.

This year, however, Bianchini said she and her husband decided to do their own thing — namely, planting some lawn chairs on Woodward near the 555 building and enjoying the day.

2:45 p.m.:

It's red. It's hot. It's one soup-up Mustang. And it mighe be yours for just a $10 raffle ticket.

For more:

2:30 p.m.:

Want some prime parking for both the Birmingham Cruise Event and the Woodward Dream Cruise? Be prepared to pay up.

We found a parking lot off Lincoln and South Old Woodward for $10 a car.

1:30 p.m.:

Love Chevrolet cars? Then you'll want to make your way up Woodward to South Old Woodward in Birmingham, where the car brand has dozens of vehicles on display.

Also this year, Chevrolet is marking the Corvette's 60th anniversary with a living timeline featuring Corvettes  from every era of the 20th and 21st century.

What else you can find at the Chevrolet display?

• Dozens of new vehicles, from the Cruze, to the Volt, to the Chevy Traverse.
• A display of airbrushed vehicle hoods painted to represent the four branches of the military. While you're there, donate your used cell phone in the Cell Phones for Soldiers program.
• A customized First Responder Chevrolet Silverado, painted with images of 9/11 first responders by artist Micky Harris. "The tailgate provides some final closure to that terrible day, depicting the situation room and navy seals raid on 5/1/11."
• Detroit artist Shades painting a giant Corvette-inspired mural on South Old Woodward.
• Take a survey and recieve a free 60th anniversary t-shirt.

For more:

Noon p.m.:

More water for a good cause. The Seaholm High School girls swimming team will be out all day selling bottled water and cans of soda for $1. The girl are pulling a wagon of goodies up and down Old Woodward, though they're based near the 103.4 WOMC tower near South Old Woodward and Lincoln.

10:30 a.m.:

The Oakleaf Model A Restorers Club returned to downtown Birmingham for the Birmingham Cruise Event Saturday morning.

Bloomfield Hills resident Jack Bahm and Beverly Hills resident Bob Jordan said restoring Ford Model A's is both a hobby and a passion.

"They have such a unique design, and they have such a unique endurance," Bahm said.

For more:

10 a.m.:

Two Seaholm figure skaters were out among the cruisers Saturday morning in downtown Birmingham, raising funds for the Birmingham unified figure skating team.

The girls will be selling bottled water for $1 all day on South Old Woodward, just south of Merrill.

For more:

9:30 a.m.:

And the 2012 is off to a rumbling start.

More than 130 volunteers were out directing traffic early Saturday morning — some as early as 6:30 a.m. — in downtown Birmingham, showing car club members where to go along South Old Woodward. The official event takes place between Lincoln and Merrill Road.

There are more than 300 cars registered at this year's event, around the same as last year, an event organizer stated.

Parking south of Merrill was reserved for car club members and those who registered early. Those who haven't registered will be directed to wait near North Old Woodward and Willits, from which they will be directed to available parking spots.

The Birmingham Cruise Event closes at 7 p.m. Saturday. Parking is available at downtown parking meters (except for those within the event area) and at the city's five parking decks.

9 a.m.:

The Woodward Dream Cruise isn't the only show in town. Check out what happened on Woodward on Friday night and early Saturday morning:

• Berkley:
• Ferndale:
• Royal Oak:

6 a.m.:

After months of preparation — and whether you love it or hate it — the 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise and Birmingham Dream Cruise is here.

Birmingham Patch Editor Laura Houser will be hitting the streets all day Saturday, talking to the cruisers and those who love them.

What do you need to know before you head out?

• Weather:
• Just for residents:
• Help your neighbors:

For more

• To take a look at everything Birmingham Patch written about the Dream Cruise so far, visit 2012 Woodward Dream Cruise.
• For more about the Dream Cruise beyond Birmingham, from Ferndale to Birmingham, check out our Patch live blog, .

Birmingham Patch Editor Laura Houser will be updating readers throughout the day from the Woodward Dream Cruise and Birmingham Cruise Event.

Do you know of something cool happening during the Cruise? Text her at 248-534-9870. Do you have some awesome pictures you want to share? Upload them to this story!