By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — High oil and gas prices will not stop the 14th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise from going full speed ahead, according to a top organizer.

The Aug. 16 Dream Cruise is expected to draw more than 1 million people and thousands of classic cars to a 16-mile stretch of Woodward Avenue. But the cruise approaches at a time when some experts predict that high gas prices will force Americans to cut back their demand for gas and driving.

Crude oil prices reached an all-time high of $135.09 May 22, and the Michigan average for unleaded gas was $4.079 per gallon May 30, according to AAA.

Despite the prices, Dream Cruise Executive Director Don Tanner predicted that visitors would still come from all over the country — or even from places like the United Kingdom and Australia.

“This is such a one-of-a kind, special event,” Tanner said. “People I’m talking to are saying, ‘We’re going to be there. It’s something that we don’t want to miss.’”

Organizers are ready to unveil a new cruise logo and an updated Web site, he said. And while Detroit will not be an official cruising zone, the city is supposed to host auto-related festivities in August.

Some classic car fans said the high gas prices would not deter them either. The prices could actually clear the avenue of minivans and SUVs and make the event more enjoyable, said Duane Walczak of Bloomfield Township. Walczak owns a yellow 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda tribute car.

“I think the observers that come this year will park and walk as opposed to staying on Woodward and driving their cars,” he said.

Walczak also said the cruise might attract a large crowd this year because people might fear even higher gas prices in 2009 — as much as $5 to $6 per gallon.

John Jendza of Mount Clemens, who owns a 1949 Cadillac, agreed that high gas prices could keep more non-classic cars off the avenue. Because a large percentage of the classic cars are parked or stationary throughout the event, he predicted that most car enthusiasts would show up after paying the pump its due.

“This is a once-a-year event,” he said, “and I really personally don’t think it will have much of a effect on Woodward at all. And if (turnout) does go down by 10 or 15 percent, it’s not a large number. All the way around, I think, the fun quotient for the interested car people will still be very strong.”

Local environmentalists hope that their own Green Cruise parade will be more popular this year, according to the Sierra Club’s Oakland County organizer, Tiffany Hartung.

“Last year, we had 700 people,” she said. “This year, our goal is to have 1,000.”

The county chapter, based in Royal Oak, holds the annual event in Ferndale to hawk transportation choices that don’t burn fossil fuels. Paraders walk, ride bikes and wear costumes to teach people about living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

This year’s Green Cruise is Aug. 9, a week before the Dream Cruise. The two events are not officially related.

The Sierra Club does not view the Dream Cruise as an enemy despite the latter’s fuel consumption habits, Hartung said. In years past, her chapter advertised the perks of hybrid cars by parading a few along Woodward, but she said that might not happen this year due to staffing issues.

Instead, green organizers want to teach the public simple ways to conserve. “We’re going to have more booths, educational areas where participants will have an opportunity to hear about green changes,” said Hartung. “A lot of folks want to know what they can do.”

Tanner said the Woodward Dream Cruise would honor conservation at a classic car competition that is supposed to be held at the Northwood Shopping Center in Royal Oak.

“In our car competition, one of the categories is going to be a green car award,” he said. “You’re seeing that more and more … hybrid engines are going into these classic cars and hot rods.”

For more information on the Woodward Dream Cruise, visit http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com.

You can reach Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1058.