Dear Friends,
The unofficial title for this newsletter is “better late than never.” Thanks to our webmaster Dennis Freeman for the reminder, and for his efforts to get it out on the last day of the month with a lead time of only one day. That’s cutting it close! I trust you had a great Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends.
The holidays are a time for reflection. Looking in the rear-view mirror at all the Back to the Bricks honor to be associated with each of you, and™ activities in 2016, the Board of Directors and the Committee have been blessed to work with a tremendous group of sponsors and volunteers. Thanks for your heroic efforts to keep our automotive heritage alive, and to highlight the best of Flint, not only locally, but around the state, across the nation, and internationally. It is an to be a part of such a tremendous organization.
Behind the scenes, we are BUSY preparing for CHROME & ICE™, February 10-11, 2017 at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center. The theme for our 2nd annual indoor winter car show is MORE, more space, more cars, more vendors, more entertainment, and more people. Access to the entire facility in 2017 will enable us to showcase more than twice as many vehicles, and we expect to exceed 100 entries this year. Chrome and Ice™ 2017 is featuring “open” registration for anyone who is interested in showing their vehicle. You can now register on-line, or if you prefer, you may download the registration form, fill it out, and submit via email, or print, complete, and submit by regular mail. Regardless of the method you choose, remember you must include a photo of the vehicle with your application. It’s not to late to be included. Selection will take place in early January.
For the first time, those in attendance at Chrome and Ice™ 2017 will be able to vote for their favorite vehicle, one vote per adult paid entry ticket. Each of the top twenty-five vote getters (the “Electra 25”) will receive a $225.00 cash prize. All registrants will receive a personal license plate with the owner’s name and make/year of their car, one tee-shirt, two VIP lanyards, and two catered lunches for Saturday.
There will be approximately forty-five vendor stations available for spectators to visit, primarily automotive-related. They are going fast, so you’ll need to hurry if you want to secure a spot for your business. Contact Steve Hobson ASAP if you are interested. We greatly appreciate how the community has stepped up to support Chrome & Ice™. Thanks for all you have done, and will do to make this an outstanding event.
Premiering this year will be a Private Party on Thursday, February 9th, 2017. Tickets for Thursday’s Party will raise funds for Hot Rod High™.
The HRH™ program not only introduces young people to collector cars as a hobby, but also, in partnership with area high schools and colleges, provides a unique opportunity for youth to explore a variety of careers in the automotive field, engineering, and robotics. The Private Party will feature live entertainment, hors d’oerves plus, adult beverages, and more. Plan to join us February 9th for “a special night for a worthy cause.” 100% of the profit from the Private Party will go towards Hot Ride High™ , and the newly created BttB™ scholarship fund. More about that next month.
The December update will feature more information about Chrome & Ice™ and a preview of the 2017 Promo Tour. Signing off for now. Back to the garage to work on winter car projects. Wishing all of you a very “Merry Christmas!”
CORDially,
Al Hatch, Founder and Board Chair
Back to the Bricks™, Inc.