'Cars at the Station' set for September reboot at Michigan Central in Detroit

A community-centered festival of autos, ride-and-drives, food and libations will hit the campus of Detroit's Michigan Central for the second year as organizers of "Cars at the Station" announced a return of the event in September.

"Cars at the Station" is a free event to be held inside the newly renovated train station in the city's Corktown neighborhood west of downtown, and outside at the adjacent Roosevelt Park.

“Last year’s inaugural Cars at the Station event drew hundreds of cars and thousands of visitors, showing us we had created something special, something the community and the auto industry wanted,” organizer Jiyan Cadiz of Hagerty Partnerships said in a statement released June 30. “We knew we had to bring back this free event that welcomes all types of cars – in the Motor City's most exciting location. We're thrilled to announce Cars at The Station will be even bigger this September at Michigan Central, strengthening our community connections and celebrating our automotive future."

The event is scheduled for Sept. 19 and 20. More than 200 cars and motorcycles are expected to be on display in Roosevelt Park, along with food trucks, music and other entertainment designed for families, organizers said.

Automobile owners may enter their own rides for the event by applying through the Detroit Auto Show, which is a co-partner. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Submit a photo of your machine and your contact info at www.carsatthestation.com.

Other sponsors include the city of Detroit, Newlab, event producer Z-Performance. Total Access Events, JB Communications and International Outdoor.

“Celebrating car culture and helping to build on-ramps for enthusiasts through Cars at the Station in the Motor City is important to our members,” said Peter Fink, Hagerty vice president of events and experiences. “This community-first event is one of the most unique in the country, bringing people together to experience all types of car culture, layered in with the auto industry and the future of mobility, plus local brands and nonprofit organizations.”

The Station

The new and improved station at Michigan Central will be open to the public during the event. Ford Motor Co. reopened the landmark property a year ago after decades of abandonment.

The station will be the setting for live music and other entertainment and visitors can view the restoration first-hand of architecture designed by the same firms responsible for New York City’s famed Grand Central. There will be music and entertainment spanning across both days of the event, along with a new beer garden.

Newlab and RADwood at Michigan Central

A VIP reception will take place Sept. 19 inside Newlab adjacent to the station. Formerly known as the Roosevelt Warehouse, Newlab will show guests a new and improved facility while partaking in vendor and automotive experiences and a wine tasting.

Tickets for VIP access go on sale in July and can be found on the event's website.

Taking place Sept. 20 on the Michigan Central lawn is RADwood Lite, an event centered around lifestyle, fashion and cars from the ‘80s and ‘90s. This display is free and will feature more than 50 cars, trucks and bikes from the era.

Contact Keenan Thompson: [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Cars at the Station' set for reboot at Michigan Central in Detroit