For over two decades, the Back to the Bricks car show has won the hearts of car lovers in Flint, Michigan, and beyond¹. This iconic event, now in its 18th year, is a beloved tradition. It brings hundreds of thousands to Flint’s downtown to celebrate the American car’s rich history².

Flint, known as the “Vehicle City,” is where the Chevrolet Corvette was born. It’s also where many car innovations started¹. The Back to the Bricks car show honors this legacy. It shows Flint’s love for cars and its dedication to keeping its car history alive.

Key Takeaways

• Back to the Bricks is an annual classic car show that attracts over 500,000 enthusiasts to Flint, Michigan.
• The event celebrates Flint’s rich automotive history, including the birthplace of the Chevrolet Corvette.
• The festivities include Tune-Up Parties, Promo Tours, and a main event showcasing classic, custom, and collector vehicles.
• The event hosts a National Reunion for Corvette enthusiasts and features music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
• Back to the Bricks helps preserve the automotive heritage of Genesee County and boosts the local economy.

Origins and Inception of Back to the Bricks

The Back to the Bricks car show started in 2004. Car enthusiast Al Hatch and others wanted to create a special event in downtown Flint. They wanted it to be like the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit³.

The Flint Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Small Business Owners of Downtown Flint helped. They convinced city leaders to let them close a part of Saginaw Street. This was for the first Back to the Bricks event in August 2005.

Humble Beginnings in 2004

At first, the group had no budget or big sponsors. But they made promotional materials and got some support. This set the stage for the event’s success³.

The first event was small but grew fast. It brought people from all over to celebrate Flint’s car history and its “red bricks.”

Rallying Community Support

The first event’s success came from local support³. People and businesses in Flint backed it. They saw its potential to show off the city and attract visitors.

This support made Back to the Bricks an annual event. It’s now a big deal for car fans and the community.

The First Back to the Bricks Event in 2005

The 2005 event was a hit, with thousands visiting downtown Flint⁴. It included a ribbon-cutting at the Durant-Dort Factory. This factory was renovated by General Motors and now hosts car events and research⁴.

The main day, Saturday, August 19, was filled with classic cars, swap meets, and more. It was a day of fun for everyone.

Now, Back to the Bricks is an annual event. It draws hundreds of thousands to Flint. They celebrate the city’s car history and the famous “red bricks.”

This event keeps Flint’s history alive. It also brings back pride and passion for cars. Cars have been a big part of Flint for over a century.

The History Of Back to the Bricks Car Show In Flint Michigan

The Back to the Bricks car show in Flint, Michigan, has a fascinating history. It began in 2005 with a few hundred cars and spectators. Now, it’s a big event that draws half a million people from all over⁵.

In 2005, the event started with just three blocks of historic “red bricks” in Flint. It has grown a lot since then. Thanks to sponsors like General Motors and ELGA Credit Union, it’s now a big event⁵.

In 2012, Back to the Bricks added life-size bronze statues of car pioneers. This showed Flint’s deep car history. The event also gives back, offering $10,000 in youth scholarships every year⁵.

Today, Back to the Bricks is more than just a car show. It hosts many activities all year. These include classic car shows, Promo Tours, and more, celebrating Flint’s car history and community spirit⁵⁷.

From its small start to its current status, the Back to the Bricks car show is a beloved tradition. It shows Flint’s lasting car legacy⁵⁷.

Celebrating Flint’s Automotive Heritage

Flint, Michigan, is known for its deep automotive roots. The Back to the Bricks event celebrates this rich history. In 2012, it introduced statues of key figures like David Buick and William C. Durant⁸. These bronze statues are found in downtown Flint and other spots around the city.

Automotive Pioneer Statue Project

The Automotive Pioneer Statue Project is a big part of Back to the Bricks. It teaches the community about Flint’s role in the auto industry⁹. By honoring these pioneers, the event shows how much Flint has contributed to cars.

Educating the Community

Back to the Bricks also has educational parts. There are art tours, interactive displays, and talks about Flint’s auto history⁷. These activities make sure Flint’s auto legacy lives on, inspiring future generations.

Expanding the Experience

Back to the Bricks, Flint’s iconic car show, has grown a lot since it started. It now offers many events and experiences for car lovers all year¹⁰. In 2016, it teamed up with Buick to create the Chrome and Ice indoor car show. This event is a hit, held at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center in Flint. It features a “summertime” theme with sand, palm trees, and fun entertainment¹⁰.

Back to the Bricks also hosts Promo Tours, Road Rallies, and Tune-Up Parties in local areas all year¹⁰. These events build excitement for the Main Event in August¹¹. The Promo Tours cover almost 600 miles in Michigan, with over 200 vehicles and 400 participants¹⁰. The Tune-Up Parties, held from August 7-12, are a big hit, with the first one in Davison being the biggest ever¹⁰.

The Back to the Bricks event is expected to draw a huge crowd¹⁰. It’s predicted to attract around 600,000 people and 40,000 cars¹⁰. The five-day celebration includes rolling cruises, a free concert, a swap meet, and a Corvette reunion. These activities highlight Flint’s rich car history¹¹.

By offering more events and reaching out to Michigan communities, Back to the Bricks has become a top event for car fans. It celebrates the region’s car legacy¹². The organization’s dedication to growth and promoting Michigan towns has earned it a loyal fan base and a reputation as a true ambassador for the state’s car culture¹².

Community Involvement and Impact

The Back to the Bricks car show in Flint, Michigan, is more than just a car show. It shows the organization’s strong commitment to the local community¹³. Since starting in 2004, it has grown to draw thousands of car lovers from all over. They see a wide range of vintage cars, showing over a century of car history¹³.

Youth Scholarship Program

Back to the Bricks knows how important it is to help young car fans and leaders grow. They have a youth scholarship program¹³. Since 2018, they’ve given out $10,000 each year, adding up to $70,000 so far¹³. This shows their dedication to helping Flint’s youth with their education and careers.

These scholarships and the many events Back to the Bricks hosts have made a big difference in Flint¹³. The show includes vintage aircraft and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard. It celebrates Flint’s rich car history and gets the community involved¹³.

The Back to the Bricks car show is not just about classic cars. It shows the strong spirit of Flint and Back to the Bricks’ commitment to the next generation of car lovers and leaders¹³.

The Back to the Bricks car show has a big impact on Flint. It supports youth scholarships, honors automotive pioneers, and teaches the public about Flint’s car history¹³¹⁴.

Conclusion

In the last 12 years, Back to the Bricks in Flint, Michigan, has grown a lot. It started with 600 cars and 7,000 people. Now, it’s expected to have 45,000 cars and 500,000 to 600,000 visitors this year¹⁵.

The event is known for its Main Event, wide range of activities, and community projects. It shows Flint’s lasting impact as a center of innovation and car excellence¹⁶. Highlights include a military flyover and special car displays, making the city’s car history fun and interesting¹⁶.

As Back to the Bricks prepares for its 20th year in 2024, it keeps inspiring the community. It helps keep Flint’s car history alive for future generations¹⁷. Thanks to volunteers and car lovers, the event boosts the local economy and builds community pride¹⁷.

Source Links

1. Back to the Bricks showcases Flint’s automotive legacy – Flint Beat – https://flintbeat.com/back-to-the-bricks-showcases-flints-automotive-legacy/
2. Car shows keep Flint’s auto legacy alive – Grand Blanc View – https://grandblancview.mihomepaper.com/articles/car-shows-keep-flints-auto-legacy-alive/
3. Back to the Bricks: Saginaw Street’s bricks go way, way back in history – https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/2014/07/back_to_the_bricks_the_history.html
4. Back to the Bricks kicks off rolling cruise at Factory One, birthplace of GM – https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2023/08/back-to-the-bricks-kicks-off-rolling-cruise-at-factory-one-birthplace-of-gm.html
5. History of Back to the Bricks – https://backtothebricks.org/historyofbttb/
6. Back to the Bricks – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_to_the_Bricks
7. Home – https://backtothebricks.org/
8. Automotive Pioneers Historical Marker – https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=180216
9. BACK TO THE BRICKS – Davison Index – https://davisonindex.mihomepaper.com/articles/back-to-the-bricks-3/
10. Back to the Bricks Car Cruise returns – Davison Index – https://davisonindex.mihomepaper.com/articles/back-to-the-bricks-car-cruise-returns/
11. Everything you need to know about 2018 Back to the Bricks – https://www.mlive.com/news/erry-2018/08/753560c34e4159/everything-you-need-to-know-ab.html
12. Back to the BRICKS – Lapeer Area View – https://lapeerareaview.mihomepaper.com/articles/back-to-the-bricks/
13. Back to the Bricks car show draws thousands to downtown Flint – Flint Beat – https://flintbeat.com/back-to-the-bricks-car-show-draws-thousands-to-downtown-flint/
14. Statues – https://backtothebricks.org/statues-page/
15. AL HATCH Founder, Back to the Bricks – My City Magazine – https://www.mycitymag.com/al-hatch-founder-back-bricks/
16. Opening Ceremony 2024 – https://backtothebricks.org/openingceremony2024/
17. Back To The Bricks: Genesee County businesses prepare for Tune Up Party Week – https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/2014/08/back_to_the_bricks_genesee_cou.html