Detroit — Produced by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), the first-ever Motor City Car Crawl debuts in Downtown Detroit on Thursday, Aug. 5 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 8. Visitors will be in awe as they get up close and personal with some of the most innovative new vehicles from metro Detroit area automotive dealers and manufacturers, but the event doesn’t stop there.
Automotive-themed educational exhibits, musical performances, dozens of the region’s top food trucks, family-friendly activities and even a Saturday charity benefit to support nine area nonprofits make up the four-day auto and fun fest. And harnesses the beauty of Downtown Detroit’s public spaces.
THE CARS
During all four days of Motor City Car Crawl, automotive enthusiasts can get up close and personal with dozens of the newest and most innovative vehicles on the market by visiting displays spread across six Downtown parks, including Beacon Park, Cadillac Square, Campus Martius, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park and Spirit Plaza.
In Campus Martius Park, auto enthusiasts will have a chance to experience some recognizable vehicles, too, specifically the Detroit Grand Prix Formula 1 and Michigan International Speedway Pace Car, while Beacon Park hosts EVs and hybrid cars, including the Ford F-150 Hybrid, Ford Maverick, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid. There is also an interactive EV garage presented by DTE Energy where eventgoers can learn more about EVs, their technology and experience the Mustang Mach-E.
Other vehicles that will be displayed in Downtown parks over the weekend include, Dodge Ram Trx, Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport, Jeep Gladiator, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and more.
THE FOOD
Motor City Car Crawl patrons are guaranteed to not leave hungry. There is new food to discover every few steps. Dozens of the most sought-after food trucks from across the region converge during Motor City Car Crawl for an unmatched food truck frenzy. A mix of trucks will be spread throughout all six Detroit parks during the event. With nearly every type of cuisine imaginable, eventgoers can explore cuisine machines such as Detroit’s Original Seafood Company, Los Dos Amigos, The Wizard Truck, Big Bo’s Grill, Impastato, Curbside 313, and more. Then it’s on to soothe their sweet tooth with a visit to Motor City Sweet Treats, Milk and Froth Ice Cream, Aruba Freeze, LA’s Lemonade and more.
Many Downtown Detroit restaurants within the event footprint, including the culinary experts at Parc, Fountain and Lumen, will be open during the event and appreciate the continued support as well.
THE MUSIC
Sponsored by the DTE Beacon Park Foundation, four-time Grammy nominated R&B Artist Lucky Daye delivers a FREE concert on Friday, Aug. 6 in Beacon Park. DJ and opening acts begin at 6:30 p.m. Daye’s explosive hit “Roll Some Mo” has earned more than 90 million streams worldwide. Having co-written music for the likes of Mary J. Blige, his 2019 album, “Painted,” received critical acclaim.
The Michigan Philharmonic makes a special appearance in Campus Martius Park from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the animated film “Cars 2.” The performance will be followed with a family movie night showing of the film on the big screen with free popcorn and other giveaways.
In addition to the parks above, stages located in Capitol Park, Cadillac Square, Grand Circus Park, Spirit Plaza will feature local musicians, including stages curated by Detroit music collective D. Cipher. There will also be a silent disco featuring DJs all playing on separate channels via your personal headphones.
Visit DADA.org or DowntownDetroitParks.com to view the most up-to-date schedules.
FAMILY FUN
The middle name of the Motor City Car Crawl is “family fun”! Kick off the weekend with a little friendly competition in Beacon Park from 6:30-8:30 p.m on Thursday, Aug. 5. Self-proclaimed cornhole connoisseurs are invited to demonstrate their skills and compete for the honorary title of Detroit’s Cornhole Champ. Come back at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7 to learn the Hustle dance with the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art. Throughout the weekend, Motor City Car Crawl visitors can also experience “Bounce,” a colorful light-up art installation by New York design studio Hou de Sousa. There will be lots of arts and crafts make-and-take projects for the kids, too.
Saturday, Aug. 8 is Family Fun Day at Beacon Park and kids and their families can enjoy Run and Play Field Day from noon-5 p.m., which includes fun fitness activities for kids; an opportunity to interact with a Detroit Fire Department truck, a Detroit Police Department Truck and Wayne County police vehicle; a chance to make and take model cars, enjoy an inflatable obstacle course, jump rope and hula hoops, to test their putt-putt golf skills and more. There will also be healthy living giveaways, courtesy of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.
Kids will also enjoy stopping by Spirit Plaza for a fun interactive activation with the Detroit Pistons, including free giveaways.
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
A diverse collection of curated vendors will be showcased in day and night markets in Cadillac Square, Spirit Plaza and Beacon Park throughout the weekend. Wonderful vendor discoveries include handmade leather jewelry by Bespoke by Feldman; custom dolls designed by a former engineer inspired by his daughter at My Birthday Doll; fabulously scented, all natural soy wooden wick candles by Scent Science and scarves and headwraps with cityscape designs, including Campus Martius Park and the Detroit skyline from Astouri.
MOTOR CITY CAR CRAWL GALA
On Saturday, Aug. 7, Campus Martius Park serves as the sophisticated backdrop for the first-ever Motor City Car Crawl Gala, headlined by singer-songwriter and nine-time Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow. Patrons will be treated to an unforgettable menu and luscious libations from Parc Detroit, while helping support nine Detroit-area nonprofits.
Those nonprofits include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Boys Hope Girls Hope Detroit, Children’s Center, The Children’s Foundation, Detroit PAL, Judson Center, March of Dimes Metro Detroit, University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
Limited tickets to this private fundraising event are still available at the price of $250 each. To purchase tickets or for more information, patrons may visit naias.com/mc3-tickets.
SPONSORS
Motor City Car Crawl is made possible with the support of presenting sponsor Huntington, as well as Southeast Michigan Ford Dealers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Ford Motor Company Fund, DTE Foundation, Delta Airline, TI Liquid Systems and MGM Grand Detroit.
For more information, visit NAIAS.com and/or DowntownDetroitParks.com.
About Downtown Detroit Partnership
Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) strengthens and supports Downtown Detroit through strategic initiatives and programs. DDP convenes business, philanthropic and government partners to create a vibrant and resilient urban core for Detroit and the surrounding community. DDP is responsible for programming, managing and operating several of Downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org.
About Detroit Auto Dealers Association
The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) supports more than 185 auto dealers located in the greater Detroit area through legislative and industry representation, educational programs and community relations activities and produces the North American International Auto Show and, beginning in 2021, Motor Bella. Through the DADA Charitable Foundation, the DADA has raised more than $121 million for children and youth charities throughout its 42-year history. For more information, please visit DADA.org.
Sources: DDP / DADA