2026 Old Car Festival - The Henry Ford, Dearborn Michigan

[Canton_Model_A's]

Just a friendly heads-up. The registration period for the 2026 Old Car Festival is open now. Last year the slots filled up in 5 days.

Also who will be coming from the Barn and what are you bringing this year.

[jb-ob]

Best old car event of the year.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Jim is correct in this IS the best old car event of the year. Word from one of the officials is that at the close of yesterday, they had already received 600 applications for registration, ...and their cut-off is 700 cars.


For me personally there is more besides the show at OCF that makes it "the best". There is an event that happens prior to the OCF called the Lansing-to-Dearborn Run which is a reliability run for 1&2 Cylinder automobiles and select pre 1915 automobiles. It is approximately 200 miles in length over a 2 day period. We leave Dearborn around 7:30 on Thursday morning with our first stop around 9:-ish at a restaurant for Breakfast. An hour later we are on the road which we typically stop at a nearby Elementary School for the students (classroom by classroom) to come outside for a visit. I let them sit in my car, squeeze the horn bulb, and ring the Bermuda Bell. After an hour or so we are off for another sightseeing visit. Last year it was a county museum that open their doors for a bathroom break. Ironically, the last couple of years we have stopped in Hell (Michigan) for lunch/ice cream and then proceeded on to another afternoon stop. A year or so ago our final stop for the day was at the Oldsmobile Museum in Lansing.

Later we checked in to the hotel and had a catered meal in their meeting room. The next day we left around 8:30AM and stopped at another morning stop (A old Cider Mill selling coffee and hot cider). Each year, a local High School Automotive program hosts all of us for a simple lunch (usually Chicken Tenders, Potato Wedges, etc.) where we pull our cars inside of this huge classroom workshop area where the students get to talk about & see the antique cars first-hand. It's a great teaching opportunity for us explaining our cars. I have found this to be refreshing as the kids (many girls too) are very knowledgeable and can understand the similarities between systems on the Horseless Carriage cars vs. modern day automobiles they are being trained on. Once we are back at the Village, we relax with a Pizza Dinner in the parking lot and get ready for Old Car Fest the following day. Great Fun!!

It is my opinion that a similar event could happen for the Model-A guys. Someone (outside of The Henry Ford organization or the OCF officials) should plan an event for the Thursday& Friday prior to OCF where a tour specifically for Model-As can happen. I am guessing that Dearborn to the MAFFI Museum would be under 150 miles if backroads were traveled. Overnight in Battle Creek and return to Dearborn on Friday vis a different backroads route. Plenty of other sites to see or towns to visit along the way. If a Model-A group averaged 25 mph while driving, that is about 6 hours. That allows 3-4 hours of stops & sightseeing along the way. If 20-30 Model-As were to participate, that encourages camaraderie amongst Hobbyist, potentially encourage hobbyists from further away to participate, and promotes awareness of the Model-A hobby. IMO, some people in the Michigan area should strongly consider hosting an annual Model-A Reliability Run prior to the OCF event.


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[Canton_Model_A's]

Nice post Brent. I assume you will be returning to OCF this year. It was good meeting up last year down on the car games field. Bringing the Model T this year or do you have other cars this time?

Look forward to seeing you there again.

[joncrane]

Brent
I discussed another division of the Lansing/Dearborn run for the A's and T's. The idea
was discouraged by the Brass and Gas folks who said the Lansing Dearborn run with the really old cars is their unique project. Frankly they are correct. The run would be changed significantly with the newer multi-cylinder cars.

Maybe an A run from the Gilmore to Dearborn would be a compromise. Could schedule it so the cars arrive at the OCF around the same time as the Brass and Gas crowd.

Any interest?
Jon

PS Model A Days at the Gilmore are "almost" as cool as the OCF.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by joncrane

Brent
I discussed another division of the Lansing/Dearborn run for the A's and T's. The idea was discouraged by the Brass and Gas folks who said the Lansing Dearborn run with the really old cars is their unique project. Frankly they are correct. The run would be changed significantly with the newer multi-cylinder cars.

Maybe an A run from the Gilmore to Dearborn would be a compromise. Could schedule it so the cars arrive at the OCF around the same time as the Brass and Gas crowd.

Any interest?
Jon

PS Model A Days at the Gilmore are "almost" as cool as the OCF.

Maybe I misled some but I am not suggesting that the Model-As event be held in conjunction with the L-to-D Run. The Model-A group needs to go do their own thing IMO. That is why I suggested Dearborn to Hickory Corners and back which would be a totally different routes than the L-to-D Run routes.

I will share with you that arrival times back to Dearborn are random at best. You have single cylinder 8hp Brushes and 7hp Curved Dash Olds that run their speed, -and then you have 40hp Model K Fords or Stanley Steamers and such that can run 30 miles an hour faster than the little cars. Therefore arrival times are more about just making the trip, and not about everyone arriving at a certain time.


As someone who has attended both Model-A Days and OCF on multiple occasions, IMHO the comparison of the Cool factor between the two events is vastly different. Yes, Model-A Days is cool for most Model-A Men and a few women however for me, OCF tremendously outplays Model-A Days because of the diversity and continuous activities for all family members.

At OCF, there is a constant parade of both unique & common vehicles for you to actually see/hear these vehicles in motion. Often times you can even have a ride in them for several laps around the Village. For the Spouses, Greenfield Village offers shopping that can keep them occupied for hours!

OCF provides WAY more learning opportunities for participants of all ages (-remember this supposed to be a family hobby!!). Pass in Review is very educational to young & old folks alike. The same for each of the different houses & buildings. People (i.e.: Spouses & Children) can spend hours touring each of the houses learning about previous occupants that contributed to making this Country.

Walking thru museums filled with static cars gets old real quick for many. For youngsters, you have Train rides, Model-A bus rides, a large Playground, a Merry Go-round, etc., -all to keep you/them occupied. The same about Car Games down below. This is entertainment for the entire family participating or just watching. Additionally, plenty of other exhibits such as different bands playing all types of music, live demonstrations (Weaving, Sheep shearing, Glass blowing, Farm implements, staged Marches, Military re-enactments, etc.) to watch, and visiting/petting the animals at different farms around the property.

Then you have the huge Gaslight Parade, and with a large Fireworks show that follows. Everything I just mentioned above happened in one day. IMO, Model-A Days just cannot compete on the same level as Greenfield Village does for an entire family to participate and not get bored. Again, I'm not saying that Model-A Says are not cool, but I personally don't feel the two are on the same Coolness level for the reasons I mentioned above.

[Canton_Model_A's]

Agreed Brent. I have been to both events, and the OCF by far has more activities for the entire family, and not to mention the history that is within Greenfield Village itself. There is always action happening at the OCF. All makes and models are driving around the village, the museums, the shopping, the interaction for all.

[mhsprecher]

I just saw a post that said the OCF registration is full! I am glad that I registered yesterday. Last year I waited too long and missed out.

Re: a Model A event, Model A Days is a week later, so one could drive from Dearborn to Hickory Corners, but why not do both events if you are going to the OCF? It is a great idea to have a tour in conjunction with Model A Days or between the two.

The Lansing to Dearborn run and related activities sound great. I have heard of it before, but didn't know the details.

[Bleedblue4life]

I registered to bring my 160C slant window blindback again. I missed out last year.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

I just saw a post that said the OCF registration is full! I am glad that I registered yesterday. Last year I waited too long and missed out.

Re: a Model A event, Model A Days is a week later, so one could drive from Dearborn to Hickory Corners, but why not do both events if you are going to the OCF? It is a great idea to have a tour in conjunction with Model A Days or between the two.

The Lansing to Dearborn run and related activities sound great. I have heard of it before, but didn't know the details.

Milford, between the two events might even be a better thought. The 'Hershey Hangover' tour happens at the close of the Hershey Swap Meet for 3 days, and is generally well attended.

[mhsprecher]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Milford, between the two events might even be a better thought. The 'Hershey Hangover' tour happens at the close of the Hershey Swap Meet for 3 days, and is generally well attended.

Too many good events. I am aware of that one, but I don't have an older car to use for that one.