Classic Cars to Cruise Through Linden and Fenton

Linden and Fenton have been invited to participate in Flint’s Back to the Bricks Car Show. The two communities will host a car cruise/rally and car show on Thursday, Aug. 11, titled, “Back to the Bricks Tune-Up Party.”

The event will kick off at Linden Elementary at 2 p.m., where classic cars will start their cruise, picking up information from local vendors as well as punch cards for the event. Community members are invited to stop by and visit the cruise start, from 2 to 5 p.m.

"The cruise itself is free-flowing not like a parade,” said Committee Member Steve Casner. “Drivers can start anytime from 2 to 5 p.m. and make their way to downtown Fenton.”

From there, cars will head south to Owen Road, where they will stop at one of the tire companies ( or ) as well as one of the car dealerships (, or ) for stamps on their punch cards. Completed punch cards will be redeemed for a free T-Shirt and entrance into a cash prize drawing. A total of 250 punch cards will be issued.  Cash prize donations from and several local agents have allowed for a prize of $250.

South Leroy Street will be closed from Shiawassee Avenue to Silver Lake Road. At 3:30 p.m., Leroy Street will close from Mill Street to the parking lot entrance to help clear out local traffic and allow early participants to find a space. At 5 p.m. the barricades will be moved to Shiawassee and Silver Lake Roads. 

The event coincides with the Fenton Farmers’ Market and the , both also coordinated by on behalf of the City of Fenton DDA. 

Entertainment will include DJ Bob Steel from 5 to 7 p.m. and Motor City Beat, a Motown Band, new to the concert series. Street vendors will have concessions available. Raffle prize drawings will be announced throughout the evening.

Organizers expect 200 to 500 classic cars and more than 3,000 people at the event, if the weather cooperates.

“Back to the Bricks, whether in Flint or the outreach communities, is a catalyst for economic development,” stated Committee Member Steve Hobson. 

Linden and Fenton aren’t the only outlaying communities hosting Tune-Up Parties. Clio, Flint Township, Davison, Richfield Township, and the City of Mt. Morris also host events in their communities. 

“The Flint organizing committee encourages the smaller communities to involve the local businesses and keep cruisers in their towns as long as possible,” said Committee Member Roberta Vasilow. 

Flint’s Back to the Bricks event began in 2005 and has grown each year. In 2009, there were 125,000 spectators in attendance and a car count of 3,000 in downtown Flint. 

This year's Back to the Brick festivities will be held August 16 to 20 in Downtown Flint.  For more information about Flint’s main event visit the Back to the Bricks website.

The local festivities are supported by the City of Fenton, the City of Linden, and Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation. 

For more information about the Linden-Fenton Tune-Up Party contact event organizer, Kristina Johnston kjohnstoneds@gmail.com or call Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation at (810) 591-0080 or (810) 714-2011.