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Back to the Bricks®
December 2025 Newsletter
| | Thank You for an Incredible Year — Exciting Things Ahead | | |
Dear Back to the Bricks® Car Fans, Supporters/Sponsors, and Team Members,
I’d like to start my message by saying how grateful I am for all the amazing team members who helped make our events successful this year. It’s very exciting to be part of such a successful organization. No one individual is more important than the team, because no one individual can accomplish what a team can accomplish. That team-first mindset is the ingredient we build our success on, year after year.
As we close out this season, I encourage you to get some well-deserved rest and enjoy time with your family and friends during the Christmas and New Year holidays — because 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Back to the Bricks®.
One of the most exciting initiatives launching in January is our ALL-NEW Members Only Club. This program is designed to enhance the car enthusiast experience while also helping us fundraise and keep the wheels turning for our organization well into the future. Membership will include discounts, special exclusive events, pre- and early-registration opportunities for our events, members-only check-in at select events, discounts at our merchandise trailer, and much more. Each year, memberships will renew and bring with them new perks, new events, and added value. We hope you’ll take time to explore this new offering when it launches.
We are also thrilled to be working with our valued partner and sponsor,
Phillips RV in Mt. Morris, on a Raffle Camper for the coming year. This is another exciting opportunity to support Back to the Bricks® while creating engagement around our mission, and the chance to win a NEW Camper. More details will be shared soon.
I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to our sponsors and partners for their consistent dedication and support. Many have already committed to the 2026 season, and we are truly grateful for their continued belief in our organization. I know our President Amber, is working hard to strengthen and grow these partnerships, and her efforts are deeply appreciated. If you have any questions regarding sponsorships, please feel free to reach out to her directly at ambertaylor@backtothebricks.org.
There is strong momentum heading into the new year, and it exists because of the dedicated people, sponsors, and partners who make up Back to the Bricks®. On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your commitment, your time, and your passion. We look forward to another outstanding year together.
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and continued success in the year ahead.
Thank you,
Al Jones
Chairman of the Board
Back to the Bricks®
810-625-2713
aljones@backtothebricks.org
| | | VIP Experience Tickets on SALE NOW | | |
Brought back by popular demand is the VIP EXPERIENCE will be an enchanting evening of fundraising, FUN and a exclusive first look at the LOVE FOR CARS Winter Indoor Car Show.
Tickets for the VIP Experience are $50.00 each, including Free parking, general admission to the car show, coat check, and live musical entertainment! PLUS, with your VIP Ticket is complimentary adult beverages at any of several bars in the arena, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and dessert, compliments of the Dort Financial Credit Union.
Proceeds from Chrome & Ice™ and the VIP Experience will support the Back to the Bricks® Youth Scholarship Fund.
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This year's entertainment is Syzygy
Syzygy was forged in the frozen rust-belt fire of Flint, Michigan—and from the moment drummer Tom McAlinden crashed Doc Chaney’s 50th birthday party in 2000, jumped behind the kit, and ignited the room, the band was destined to be something special. Before the cake was cut, the neighbors called the cops, and a legendary Michigan party band was born.
For 25 years, Syzygy has reigned as Michigan’s undisputed kings of the rock ’n’ roll party, delivering a sweat-soaked, high-energy blend of classic rock, roadhouse blues, deep-pocket funk, and shameless disco that turns every space into a full-tilt boogie. This is not a show you watch—it’s a party you survive.
Fronted by brothers Eric and Jeremy Chaney on vocals and guitars, Syzygy delivers searing twin-guitar harmonies and blistering leads that feel like the Allman Brothers raised on Motown grit and blue-collar swagger. Holding down the low end is bassist Domingo Berlanga, whose thick, relentless grooves keep the dance floor moving and the crowd locked in.
At the heart of the chaos is “Doc” Chaney—keyboards, vocals, and harmonica—part professor, part preacher, and all party. Doc’s howling harmonica and commanding presence are the reason the band exists…and the reason fire marshals stay nervous. Behind it all is original birthday-crasher Tom McAlinden, laying down a rock-solid backbeat with machine-like precision, endless energy, and cymbals that have seen more sweat than a Flint summer sidewalk.
From smoky Michigan bars to packed festivals, casinos, and VIP events, Syzygy doesn’t just play the party—they detonate it. Twenty-five years strong and still raising hell, they bring the perfect alignment of rock, soul, sweat, and zero regrets.
Flint-born. Fun-fueled. VIP-approved.
Syzygy is ready to make your VIP Experience unforgettable.
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Want to Feature your Vehicle at Chrome & Ice™???
Register NOW for your chance to feature your vehicle at the 2026 Chrome & Ice™ Show. February 13th - 15th.
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This 3-day Indoor Car Show is sponsored by General Motors and Brought To You By Dort Financial Credit Union. Celebrating our 11th annual event, it will again take place at the Dort Financial Center, 3501 Lapeer Rd in Flint filling every square inch of the facility with special displays, unique vehicles, vendors, entertainment and special surprises we know you will all love. Many have already been accepted, but there's still more to be announced. There's time to get in, and all selected vehicles will be notified on an individual basis by Jan 15th.
This year you have choices for level of registration.
High Octane: $90 a $206 Value
This package includes everything and is ideal for a couple or group of friends.
- Parking for the weekend
- 2 Wristbands – Entry for the weekend
- 2 Collector Long Sleeve T-shirts
- 2 Saturday Driver Catered Lunches
- Car Placard, included.
- Coffee/Snacks each morning included.
Premium: $80 a $181 Value
This package is perfect for two, but it only includes one shirt.
- Parking for the weekend
- 2 Wristbands – Entry for the weekend
- 1 Collector Long Sleeve T-shirt
- 2 Saturday Driver Catered Lunches
- Car Placard, included.
- Coffee/Snacks each morning included.
Unleaded: $70 a $133 Value
This package is recommended for a single participant for the entire weekend.
- Parking for the weekend
- 1 Wristband – Entry for the weekend
- 1 Collector Long Sleeve T-shirt
- 1 Saturday Driver Catered Lunches
- Car Placard, included.
- Coffee/Snacks each morning included.
You will be able to purchase separately extra items, like an extra Collector Shirt, Lanyard, or even a Catered Driver Lunch on Saturday.
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VENDORS
Want more information about being at this years event???
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You can visit our website to find out more on becoming a sponsor or vendor, or click here to be just be a vendor at this show.
| | Chrome & Ice™ Motorcycle Display in Tunnel + Awards | |
Calling all Vintage Motorcycle Collectors and Show Bikes!!!!
We are THRILLED to announce that we have TONS of space in the Tunnel, leading to the ALL-NEW Rat Rod Garage being featured at the upcoming 11th Annual Chrome & Ice™ the 3 Day Indoor Winter Car Show.
This is your opportunity to showcase your collectable motorcycle/s, have fun, win awards, and mingle with your fellow car enthusiasts and have fun during the 3 Day Chrome & Ice™ Show.
| | Did you miss the Holiday Market??? | | | |
Well it's not too late!
Our Online Store is OPEN
We've got new merchandise coming to the online store. GET your Holiday Gifts shipped right to you.
Start Shopping HERE
| | | The Masters of Excellence | | |
By: Gary Fisher
President - Genesee County Historical Society
In the early years of the American automobile industry, few names carry as much weight as Henry Martyn Leland and his son, Wilfred C. Leland. Together, they were instrumental in shaping Cadillac into a brand synonymous with precision, innovation, and luxury. Their commitment to engineering excellence not only transformed Cadillac but also set new standards for the entire automotive industry.
Henry Leland was born in 1843 in Vermont, where he developed an early fascination with mechanics and machinery. Before entering the automobile business, he gained invaluable experience working for leading manufacturing firms, including Colt Firearms and Brown & Sharpe. These companies were pioneers in the use of interchangeable parts and precision machining — principles that would later define Leland’s approach to automobile manufacturing.
By the early 1900s, the fledgling automobile industry was chaotic, with numerous small companies producing cars of varying quality. In 1902, Leland was invited to appraise the assets of the failing Henry Ford Company. Rather than recommending liquidation, he was convinced by Fords investors to keep the business going under new management and a new name. Thus, the Cadillac Automobile Company was born, with Leland at the helm as a key engineering force.
From the start, Cadillac distinguished itself through its focus on precision and standardization. Leland applied the same principles he had learned in the firearms and tool industries, ensuring that every component was manufactured to exacting specifications. This commitment to precision paid off handsomely in 1908, when Cadillac won the prestigious Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club of England. The award recognized Cadillac as the first car company in the world to demonstrate true interchangeability of parts — a groundbreaking achievement that validated Leland’s manufacturing philosophy.
Under Henry and later his son Wilfred, Cadillac continued to innovate. They emphasized quality over quantity, positioning Cadillac as a luxury brand that appealed to discerning customers. When General Motors purchased Cadillac in 1909, Henry Leland stayed on as a key executive, maintaining the company’s reputation for engineering excellence. It was during this period that Cadillac adopted the slogan “The Standard of the World,” a reflection of its superior craftsmanship and reliability.
Wilfred Leland, born in 1882, shared his father’s passion for engineering and precision. He joined Cadillac in his twenties and played a significant role in the company’s continued success under General Motors. In fact, Cadillac was the biggest acquisition for William C. “Billy” Durant after he single handedly created General Motors out of the combination of Buick and Oldsmobile. Of course, Cadillac became the crown jewel of GM in many ways.
Later, during World War I, the Leland’s’ commitment to quality and patriotism led them to found the Lincoln Motor Company to produce aircraft engines for the U.S. military. After the war, they transitioned Lincoln into an automobile manufacturer, building luxury vehicles that rivaled Cadillac. Ironically, Lincoln would later be acquired by Cadillac’s main competitor — the Ford Motor Company.
Henry and Wilfred Leland’s legacy extends far beyond the companies they founded. They helped transform the automobile from a handmade curiosity into a precisely engineered product suitable for mass production without sacrificing quality. Their insistence on precision, integrity, and craftsmanship established standards that continue to influence automotive manufacturing today.
In many ways, Cadillac’s enduring reputation for luxury and excellence can be traced directly to the Leland’s’ vision. Through their dedication to precision engineering and innovation, Henry and Wilfred Leland not only built a car company — they helped define what an American luxury automobile could be.
Please join us for storytelling, terrific food and camaraderie, and a celebration of our own community’s tremendous legacy. For more information and to secure your ticket to GeneseeHistory.org
| | It's the Season of Giving | |
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As we draw closer to 2026, many organizations, businesses and individuals need to fulfil their charitable giving needs. Consider a donation to Back to the Bricks®
We are a 501(C)(3) Non-Profit organization and use the funds donated for our events, College Scholarships and supporting local organizations as much as we can.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation please click this link:
Donation Link
You can also send a Check to:
Back to the Bricks
Po Box 500
Flint MI 48501
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