SAULT STE. MARIE – Summertime is cruising time, at least it is for the nearly 300 drivers who’ll be taking their classic cars and trucks across the state as a part of the Back to the Bricks Promo Tour it is.
Sunday, June 9 will see Portage Avenue (between Ashmun Street and Magazine Street) converted into a showcase of vintage vehicles from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. that is free and open to the public. Sault Ste. Marie will serve as the second stop on the six-day Promo Tour following Claire with drivers arriving Saturday.
“The Back to the Bricks Promo Tour is a way for us to go around the state and tell people about the big event in August,” said event coordinator Linda Moore. “It takes place over two weeks in Flint.”
Following the 2018 Back to the Bricks show a survey went out to participants. Moore found drivers liked locations along the water and traveling north of the Mackinac Bridge. The Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau was quick to partner with the traveling car show to get them to select the Soo for their 2019 tour.
Moore said 279 cars and trucks are registered to be downtown for spectators to check out throughout the afternoon and early evening. She expects a good mix of classic and luxury automobiles with some drivers opting for comfort and drive quality over style due to the touring nature of the event.
Drivers range from as nearby as Sault Ste. Marie to as far away as Texas. Each car averages about a passenger too with somewhere between 500-550 total people visiting the area.
Saturday prior to the show will serve as a free day on the Promo Tour. Moore said it allows participants to checkout Tahquamenon Falls, lighthouses or other nearby attractions.
“The drivers love talking about their cars, and shopping and eating in the host cities,” she added. “Saturday is a free day where they’re free to do whatever.”
After sightseeing and checking out the area drivers will check into Kewadin Casino Hotel & Convention Center Saturday evening.
Local car club the Twin Sault Cruisers Car Club will be helping assist with the Back to the Bricks Promo Tour car show. Moore said they’ll be helping to park vehicles along Portage, and will also have their rides on display between 4 and 8. Carvito’s WoodFired Pizza will be downtown Sunday too serving out fresh slices of pizza.
This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the Back to the Bricks car show. Its original run included 25 cars. For more information on how to get involved with the program visit https://backtothebricks.org
