Latest from the Chairman of the Board

SUMMER Events – Mark your Calendars!!!

Back to the Bricks Road Rally

July 12th, 2025

We’ve partnered with Shea Automotive and UAW Region 1-D.

The cost is $20.00 per car. This Rally is a fundraiser and proceeds will go directly to the United Way. Special Gifts for participants!

Tune Up Week Sponsored by Huntington

Thanks to our Sponsor, Huntington Bank, our Tune Up City partners, and the many volunteers and behind-the-scenes helpers who make this possible. Tune Up Week Schedule is August 4th—9^th, 2025!

Registration is FREE for all and is OPEN NOW for all August Events, including Tune Up Week, so get ready to Cruise around Genesee County and the surrounding areas, car fans, we will have a BLAST!!!!

Tony Bauer, Chairman of Tune Up Week, would like to thank everyone who submitted their vehicles to be considered for the featured T-shirts we give away each night. Hundreds of submissions were received, but it came down to picking only 6 cars. Those will all be announced soon!

So it’s TIME to make plans, get registered, and get ready for a JAM-PACKED week of fun, before the Main Event Week of FUN! Man… we are kinda crazy! But we all love cars, car shows, and most of all… Being around YOU!

21st Annual Main Event Clothing ONLINE!

Exciting News from Back to the Bricks®!

We are grateful to our partners and sponsor Kidd Co. of Clio, for their continued support with our online and Trailer merchandise.

You don’t have to wait until the Main Event to grab your clothing SHOP NOW!

21st Annual Main Event Registration

Get Ready for the 21st Annual Back to the Bricks® Main Event!

It’s almost time to shine up those rides and get ready for one of the biggest celebrations of automotive passion in the country — the 21st annual Back to the Bricks® Main Event!

Downtown Flint will come alive during Main Event Week, kicking off a jam-packed schedule full of fun, excitement, and unforgettable memories. This is your chance to experience everything that makes Back to the Bricks® so special: the energy of the community, the roar of classic engines, and the sparkle of chrome from every era and style.

Whether you’re a lifelong car enthusiast or simply love the atmosphere of a good summer festival, Main Event Week offers something for everyone. From feature cars and special displays to live music, food vendors, interactive exhibits, and even a swap meet — there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

New this year, make sure you register so you don’t miss out on exclusive opportunities to WIN special prizes! Registered participants will be eligible for giveaways, drawings, and unique experiences throughout the week — it’s our way of saying thank you for being part of this amazing community.

Don’t miss the iconic Opening Ceremony on Saturday, August 16, honoring our veterans and featuring the unveiling of the newest statue in the Automotive Pioneer collection. Or swing by to check out the always-popular Corvette Reunion, Back to the Bricks Swap Meet, Buicks on the Bricks at Factory One, the GM Assembly Flint-Built display, and many more exciting attractions.

As we celebrate 21 incredible years of Back to the Bricks®, we’re pulling out all the stops to make 2025 our biggest and best year yet.

Ready to join the party? Register now (ALWAYS FREE) and secure your spot and get in on all the action — and the prizes!

By: Gary Fisher

President – Genesee County Historical Society

“VICTORY! Party and Celebration”

When the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7th, 1941, , the United States was unprepared for war. The Army had been training with wooden guns and using Good Humor ice cream trucks for props since they lacked tanks. But that wasn’t all they lacked. Guns, ammunition, ships, planes, and pretty much anything and everything that would be needed to take on The Empire of Japan, and soon Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich. Both nations with millions of men under arms, and thousands of ships, planes and millions of rounds of ammunition and weaponry. 

What changed the outcome? Courage and American blood, sweat, tears, and thousands who paid with their lives of course. But underlying it all was the vaunted American manufacturing and innovation might that would come to be known as the Arsenal of Democracy. Leading the way would be the American automobile industry in general and THE GENERAL in particular- General Motors would be cited by the great management guru Peter Drucker as the approximate driver of the ultimate victory. 

That places Flint and Genesee County directly in the crosshairs of the catalysts of that ultimate victory. Then the ‘other’ army was deployed. That army included those building the tanks and planes and machine guns at places like Buick, the Fisher Arsenal in Grand Blanc, Chevrolet, and AC Spark Plug. It included a division of that unique army known as Rosie The Riveters, the millions of women who stepped up and stepped in to fill the roles left by the men who had gone overseas to fight. 

To celebrate that win, and the 80th anniversary of our victory in World War Two, the Genesee County Historical Society is proud to announce our VICTORY! Party and celebration. It will be held on Friday July 11th at the Genesys Banquet Center in Grand Blanc. If you’re a member of the Genesee County Historical Society keep your eyes peeled for invites soon to come. As always, our members have first dibs on any seats at these events. And ALL of our events sell out! So, if you want to guarantee a first shot at tickets for what promises to be an EPIC event, please head over to GeneseeHistory.org to sign up as a member. For everyone else, keep on the lookout for a possible public ticket sale if we have seats remaining. 

Also, if you are a member, you know you will receive a copy of our magazine The Historian sent directly to your doorstep. Our next issue will be exclusively dedicated to the Victory! story featuring some truly incredible tales from our community. So, join the GCHS today- guarantee first privileges for events, secure your advance copy of The Historian, and participate in supporting the greatest stories of America – that took place right here in the heart of the mitten.  It’s OUR history, so don’t miss this opportunity to join in the celebration! 

To GET Tickets to the Party, Click the Link Below!

Al’s Garage

Al’s Garage

Vol. 6, Issue #6

“Dollars and Cents”

Looking at the title of this month’s Al’s Garage, you’re probably thinking, “What is ole Al thinking now?” And honestly, I’d be wondering the same if I were in your seat.

About a month ago, my wife and I were in southeast Ohio — Dover, to be exact — attending the annual Spring Eastern Meet of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg (ACD) Club. These regional meetings aren’t huge affairs; roughly fifty people attend, with about fifteen ACD cars, and the rest being modern vehicles. Indeed, not a large gathering, but always very enjoyable.

As the weekend progressed, I began to consider the economic impact of the meet on the local economy. Between hotel rooms for three nights, meals, gas, entrance fees to local attractions, hospitality room costs, and mementos for attendees, the expenses all add up. By the end of the event, the total group spend becomes quite substantial.

For discussion’s sake, let’s estimate that each couple spent about $1,500 for the weekend. Using the economic multiplier model from the U.S. National Park Service — which suggests each dollar is turned over roughly eight times — the local impact per couple comes to $12,000. Multiply that by 25 couples, and the total economic impact reaches $225,000.

Now, let’s look at a recent example closer to home: the Back to the Bricks® Promo Tour. With approximately 245 couples participating over five nights and six days on the road, and using that same model, the total economic impact on Michigan’s economy was nearly $3 million!

Do you know why I’m bringing this up? Because it’s essential.

When organizations like Back to the Bricks® host events, they generate an enormous and positive effect on local communities. Yet, this impact is often overlooked — sometimes by the very cities we’re trying to support. A few municipalities don’t want anything to do with hosting car-related events. They put their heads in the sand and miss the bigger picture. In my opinion, that’s a huge mistake.

Economic impact studies consistently show that local and national car events can drive serious revenue into towns, and not just for car owners or vendors. Everyone benefits: hotels, restaurants, shops, gas stations, attractions, and more.

It’s something worth considering if you’re planning a car show or evaluating whether to support one.

See you this summer and ‘Keep on Rollin.’

Al Hatch

Founder of the Back to the Bricks® 

Chairman Emeritus

Volunteers ARE THE BEST!