Castle Days Reunion – a Detroit Celebration

It was quite an amazing site.  On the evening of August 27, 2010, an estimated crowd of over 3,000 car enthusiasts converged on the White Castle at Livernois and Warren on Detroit’s west side for the 3rd annual Castle Days Reunion.  The event, which celebrates Detroit’s street racing days of the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, was scheduled to start at 7 p.m., but by 5:30, the White Castle parking lot, other lots in the area and the streets began filling up. By nightfall, Warren Avenue became so congested, Detroit Police closed down the street and whoever remained within the parameters were treated to a ‘muscle car street party’ like never before.  Music filled the air, along with the rich smell of high octane and the occasional rubber that bit into the pavement.

Cars were lined up and down Livernois for about a half a mile from each side of Warren Avenue, as it resembled a Thanksgiving Parade of hot cars.  “This is like our Dream Cruise in the neighborhood,” one excited spectator said, as he rode in a car filled with four generations of car lovers.  “Grand Daddy’s driving, my daddy’s riding shotgun, I’m the son in the backseat, along side my son in the car seat, who’s overwhelmed as he’s being introduced to this car culture thing in Detroit.”  There was so much to see at the Castle Days Reunion, including the side shows when the ‘big boys’ were unloading their racing machines off the trailers and parking them.  The sounds of their powerful motors created excitement throughout the night.  

This White Castle had the reputation as one of the most serious underground street racing spots in the Detroit area during the 70’s and 80’s.  Many of these racers, most now retired from street racing but continue to race at the track, were in attendance sharing their stories and memories from the past with old friends, as well as informing some of the younger kids of the dangers of street racing.  Cars are much faster now, and the need for a drag strip in Detroit or close by is very necessary as many people in the crowd expressed their support for such a facility, hopefully within the city limits.  

This was an overall beautiful event: hundreds of items were given away in gift bags, supplied by the sponsors and the weather fully cooperated. Everyone had a great time and it proved that the city of Detroit still loves its muscle cars. They can’t wait to do this again next year.

Check out photos and video from the event in our Media section.

The Castle Days Reunion was organized by Paul Humphries Sr, aka “The Chevy Doctor” and his production company, Multiple Sights & Sounds.  Humphries is the maker of the documentary films, Motor City Street Racers and Motor City Street Racers 2 – Garage Talk..  He can be reached at (313) 355-8334, or email him at: dj.doctor.phd@hotmail.com

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