ROCHESTER, MI – For the past 44 years, all sorts of classic and collectible cars and trucks have gathered at a city park in the northern Detroit suburb of Rochester, Michigan, for a day of celebrating car culture in and around The Motor City. Again this year, some 500 vehicles from all across southeastern Michigan filled the city’s Municipal Park for the annual Festival of Cars show, featuring live music, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes, automotive art and collectibles and T-shirts, along with food and refreshments. The festival has actually been a part of a series of late-May weekend events known as the Greater Rochester Heritage Days.

Our own roving car-show photographer, Bill Cook, lives in Rochester and grew up in a Ford family with his Dad working at Ford Division Marketing and Sales. Throughout his own long Ford marketing career, Bill was well-known within the company as an active enthusiast and club member who could always be counted upon to show off photos of the many car shows and events that he attends regularly all across the Midwest. In retirement, it is no different. That’s why we weren’t surprised when Bill sent us a collection of photos he’d snapped at this year’s festival.

“It was a fun, busy car weekend.” Bill told us. “Early Saturday morning, I made the long drive (just 10 minutes) to downtown Rochester for the 44th Festival of Cars. It takes place in a scenic park downtown and the proceeds benefit Leader Dogs For The Blind and other Rochester Lions Club charities. It's always a popular show with a wide variety of quality vehicles that bring out families and local spectators.”

Of course, Cook took photos of the Ford-powered rides that he saw at the show, and agreed to share his photos below with all of us here on FordPerformance.com:

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY BILL COOK