Early birds get the Woodward Dream Cruise spots

Traffic is moving quickly along Woodward Avenue in Birmingham as early bird cruisers and spectators get a jump start on the official Dream Cruise Saturday.

Missouri residents Gary Yager and Ken Wilson, both 71, returned early Saturday after previewing the cruise Friday.

Yager first witnessed the cruise each year from 2000-04, when work temporarily brought him to the area.

"I made it all four years and I try to make it back every other year," Yager said. "I've got pictures loaded on (my iPad) from the 2013 deal, and I saw many of the same cars go by yesterday."

Wilson said he opted to attend the cruise for the first time this year after hearing about it from Yager, his friend from high school.

"I decided I wanted to come to look myself," he said. "I think it's worth the trip, even though it's nine hours."

Yager said he once owned several 1957 Chevys and a 1963 Corvette. He likes to spot those models out cruising, as well as early Ford models from the late 1920s and 1930s.

"What I really love to do is watch the '57s, the two-door hard tops," he said. "And to just remember."

Wilson said he figures reminiscing is the main draw of the event.

"That's why they call it the Dream Cruise, I guess."