Old Car Festival 2024 and Dearborn Protests

[Humblej]

I was thinking of attending OCF this year as a participant. I have attended many times over since age 7, but only as a spectator, this will be my first time participating and plan to bring my Model T that turned 100 this year.

With the pro palistine anti Israel protests going on around the country, Dearborn recently made national news with death to America chants. The Detroit News reported earlier this month "People gathered in front of the Henry Ford Centennial Library on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn holding Palestinian flags and yellow signs..." They chanted in unison, "Free, Free Palestine" and "End the occupation now." ...[including "Death to America" ]. Well now I am not so sure I want to be driving in Dearborn pulling an open trailer in unfamiliar territory unless this pro palistine nonsense goes away by OCF.

Anyone else having second thoughts too?

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

No second thoughts whatsoever.

[Atomic Amish]

I'm in Dearborn every weekend at THF (I work in the Model T garage) and also for work (Ford Motor Company) and have no issues whatsoever. In fact, I'm typing this at the workbench right now.

Come September, who knows where the state of the world will be, but right now it's perfectly fine here.

My .02. Your mileage may vary.

v/r,
jason

[Ed Baudoux]

2024 will be our tenth year bringing an antique Ford to the Greenfield Village Old Car Festival. They have had us setup for RV camping at Fairlane Mall the last few years. I'm planning to drive whichever car I bring, to the Michigan Central Station and back to the mall. I'm not worried about security at all.

[DHort]

A lot of us drive from the Henry Ford to the Piquette Plant. You drive through some unsavory neighborhoods. As long as you wave and are friendly to people they are friendly to you. I have never felt concerned.

You also have to remember that Dearborn is the largest Muslim city in the US. They are going to be pro Palestinian.

Put a Palestine flag on your trailer and you know you will be safe.

P.S. Flying a Palestinian flag does not mean you are pro Hamas.

[Humblej]

Well I will not be flying a Palestinian flag.

[Oldav8tor]

Jeff - it is unlikely you'll have any trouble. If anything happens around that time that could affect the OCF I'm sure the village will put out info on it.

[TMiller6]

I will continue to be at the Old Car Festival as long as they will have me.

I saw this article today which pertains to Detroit and its surrounds. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... cture.html

[Phoenix88R]

Just thus weekend (4/25- 4/27) Detroit hosted the NFL Draft. Three days and nights of partying and record-breaking crowds of 275,000 plus. All media reports were glowing for the city and surrounding areas, something that would have been unbelievable in the not-too-distant past. The Henry Ford was featured as one of ten must see attractions in local media for visitors in town for the draft. The event has truly been a great thing for southeastern Michigan.

Last fall I was also at The Henry Ford for their Halloween Nights in October just as the current middle east crisis was ramping up. Also attended Holiday Nights in December. As a diverse metropolitan area there were clearly folks from every ethnicity and religion. Without exception everyone was pleasant and well-behaved including kids and teens.

[TMiller6]

I should also mention that Dearborn has officers walking in pairs at the major events. I’m guessing it’s a dream assignment as you get to see the cars for

[Steve Jelf]

Driving through some pretty depressed parts of Detroit, I have never been attacked (or even felt endangered).