Dear Back to the Bricks® Family,

What an incredible journey it has been as we celebrate the 21st anniversary of Back to the Bricks®! Reflecting on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for each of you who helped make our milestone year a resounding success. From the vibrant gatherings to the spirited events, we have truly showcased the passion and dedication that drive our beloved community.

As we look forward to the future, I am excited to announce that we have some thrilling initiatives coming your way. In January, we will be launching a brand-new members-only program designed to deepen our engagement with our loyal supporters. This program promises to offer exclusive benefits and experiences you won’t want to miss.

In addition, I am thrilled to share that we will be bringing back a car raffle that promises to be one everyone will want to participate in. I have selected a small group of car enthusiasts to help us find the right vehicle for this exciting event, which will help bring much-needed funds back into our organization. Stay tuned for more details!

Furthermore, we are planning a fresh set of events aimed at attracting a younger audience. It’s essential that we not only celebrate our rich history but also inspire the next generation of car enthusiasts. We want to foster a love for all things automotive and ensure that Back to the Bricks® continues to thrive for years to come.

Moreover, in our ongoing efforts to recognize and celebrate our incredible community, we will be highlighting our active members, car enthusiasts, dedicated board of directors, and invaluable volunteers throughout the coming year. Your contributions are the heartbeat of this organization, and we want to showcase the passion that each of you brings to the table.

Hope to see you all this Saturday at the Cars & Coffee event. Thank you for being such an integral part of our journey. Together, we will continue to forge ahead, driven by our shared love for cars and community. Here’s to another remarkable year ahead!

Thank you, 

Al Jones

Chairman of the Board

Back to the Bricks®

810-625-2713

aljones@backtothebricks.org

2025 is a year to remember

We want to take a moment to thank our Presenting Sponsor, General Motors, for its commitment and support of all things Back to the Bricks®. For over the last 11 years, they’ve supported our mission to produce family-friendly automotive events that reflect Flint, Michigan’s automotive heritage with a positive economic impact.

There are many more partners and sponsors to thank, and over the next two months, our President, Amber Taylor, will be out delivering thank-you letters and plaques to each one.

Please consider using or supporting any of the listed sponsors; their commitment to our organization allows for a full year of cruising events, car shows, and more.

Visit our website for more specific info on each and links to their websites. backtothebricks.org/sponsors

Back to the Bricks Night Out®

Join us for an evening of fun, food and awards

Our President Amber Taylor Invites You ALL!

Hello Friends,

Hope you had a great Summer! The leaves are quickly changing, and with that, we know the cooler fall evenings are upon us. Peyton and I will be off to pumpkin patches and corn mazes soon; it’s a tradition.

With that being said, we are winding down our event season, with only a few more outdoor events left. I am excited about our upcoming Cars & Coffee this Saturday with Goyette Mechanical. This event is a come anytime between 8 am and 11 am and visit us at their all-new location off Saginaw Street in Grand Blanc. Then we have one final HORAH with the Lapeer International Dragway Car Show, Swap Meet, and Drag Competition on Sunday, September 28th. Please take a look at the full details in the UPCOMING EVENTS Section below.

I also want to extend an invitation to you to join the Back to the Bricks® family for our Annual Night Out Event on Friday, October 24th, at the Flint Farmer’s Market. This evening is quickly becoming one of my favorite traditions—an opportunity for us to come together for fun, food, dancing, awards, and a whole lot of celebration.

This year’s theme brings a festive Fall/Halloween twist. You can dress up in your best Halloween costume or come in business attire—it’s up to you. Just know that the Best Dressed will take home a special award, and I can’t wait to see the creativity shine.

For me, this event is about more than just a great night out—it’s about honoring our past, celebrating our present, and investing in our future. The funds raised help us continue to grow Back to the Bricks® and keep creating unforgettable experiences for car enthusiasts and our community.

I want to thank our Board of Directors, Committee Members, and our incredible partners who are helping make this evening possible. Their support means so much, and I know together we’re going to have a fantastic night.

Event Details:

• Friday, October 24th
• Flint Farmer’s Market – 300 East First St, Flint, MI 48502
• Costumes or Business Dress – Your Choice!
• Dinner, Awards, Dancing, Silent Auction, and More

Get your tickets today—General Admission / Seating is limited. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Back to the Bricks General Fund. Tax-deductible letters can be provided, as we are a 501(c) (3) organization.

Tickets are limited, and I would love to see YOU there. Please join me for this special evening—we’ll laugh, celebrate, and maybe even crown you Best Dressed.

See you soon!

Amber Taylor, CTA

President

Back to the Bricks®

810-877-8383

ambertaylor@backtothebricks.org

Upcoming Events

A Word From The Vice Chairman of the Board

Some like it hot, some like it cold—this season we got a little of both! But no matter the weather, we had an incredible year together, and I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of it.

This was our third year using the QR system, and you all have adapted beautifully. Over 99% of participants came prepared with their barcode ready to scan—making check-in quick and smooth. Thank you for embracing this system and helping us continue to grow.

Between online registrations, QR check-ins, and text-based prize notifications, Back to the Bricks® has become one of the most technologically advanced car shows in the country. It’s something we’re proud of, and it’s all possible because of your support and participation.

As we look to the future, we’re excited to keep building on this technology to make the experience even better for everyone involved.

Once again, thank you for helping us create another great season. We couldn’t do it without you.

Ralph Messer

Vice Chairman of the Board

Back to the Bricks®

Glenwood Cemetery

By: Gary Fisher

President – Genesee County Historical Society

With fall just around the corner, it’s a good time to think of activities that make the most of the waning days of what little sunshine we get here in the Frozen Mitten. And for reasons known only to the meteorological gods, September has been one of the prettiest months of the year for the last 25 years or so.

When it comes to local history and the outdoors, it’s hard to beat a trip to Glenwood Cemetery. Founded in 1857 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it offers a trip down the history of not just Flint, but America.

In terms of auto history, there are a variety of extraordinary individuals buried at Glenwood, including:

• Charles Stewart Mott – Early automotive chief, GM leader, philanthropist, founder of the Mott Foundation
• William Ballenger – Key man in bringing Buick to Flint, and involved in almost all of the early auto drama
• Harlow Curtice – GM President & Time Man of The Year
• J. Dallas Dort – Billy Durant’s partner, Durant Dort partner, heavily involved in GM, Buick, and Chevrolet, created Dort Motor CO., founded the Industrial Mutual Association, the Flint Golf Club, and the city parks system. The original Mr. Flint!
• Major Albert Sobey – GMI/ Kettering University Founder
• James Whiting – Entrepreneur, Flint Wagon Works leader, the man who brought Buick to Flint, creator of the Whiting automobile.
• Arthur G. Bishop – Banking leader, key financier, and executive of Billy Durant, Buick, Chevrolet, and General Motors, and the Flint Bishop International Airport is named after him.

Between the last beach and boat days, and before or after a football game, carve out

some time for a visit to Glenwood. It’s living history… amongst the no longer living…or something like that. Trust me, you’ll be glad you visited!