Clip N' Keep
Jan. 18, 2015
2015 Car Shows GuideGet your motor runnin’, head out on the highway – and point your GPS to one of northern Michigan’s great car shows! Spring, summer and fall all welcome gatherings of motorists to locations across the region, so here’s your guide to some of the most popular car events on the way for the 2015 season.
2015 Back to the Bricks
June 6-7 - Cadillac, downtown
Presented by Buick and lauded as one of the "Top 20 Car Shows in the Country," Back to the Bricks covers a lot of Michigan ground. The flagship show takes place in Flint and specially licensed versions run in Mt. Pleasant and Cadillac. A celebration of the "˜50s teen tradition of cruising from hangout to hangout, this event usually includes a cruise and a sock hop. MORE INFO: backtothebricks.org
19th Annual Antiques on the Bay Auto Show
June 19-20 - St. Ignace, public marina
The first of several auto-related shows in St. Ignace over the summer months, this kickoff event features original and restored classic and antique vehicles lined up and showing their best along the downtown waterfront. Entertainment is a bonus, as are many participants flaunting vintage costumes, which adds to this auto event’s unique flair. MORE INFO: nostalgia-prod.com
40th Annual Car Show Weekend
June 25-27 - St. Ignace, downtown
Billed as one of the largest all-make, all-model shows in the country, St. Ignace’s "big" show is a major summer event for local car aficionados and the hundreds of folks who travel crosscountry to join in the fun. The cars are on display all day Saturday and then strut their stuff in the Down Memory Lane Parade and the Kewadin Casino Cruise Night. MORE INFO: nostalgia-prod.com
17th Annual Vintage Car and Boat
Festival June 25-28 - Bay Harbor Village
This is the perennial event that starts the season in Bay Harbor, bringing together an extensive display of vintage cars and boats, plus a variety of social events, an official Parade of Cars and an awards ceremony. A Sales Salon is also installed on the grounds in case you’d like to drive away from the fest with a vintage vehicle of your very own. MORE INFO: bayharborfoundation. org/events/vintage-car-boat-festival
Old Town Classic Vehicle Show
July; date TBA Traverse City, Union and Sixth Street
Hundreds of collector vehicles and several judging classes are featured in this annual event supported by a number of car clubs and coinciding with TC’s famed Cherry Festival. Traditionally, a Cruise Night is held around the show date each year, which makes for quite a sight as nearly a hundred vintage cars from all eras drive around Elk Lake and back. MORE INFO: cherryfestival.org
South Arm Classic Car Show
July 10-11 - East Jordan, downtown
With the south arm of Lake Charlevoix as backdrop, this classic car show – which also includes a display of classic boats both on land and in water – is the essence of small town Michigan. Entertainment, food booths, a microbrew tent, cottage antiques and more make this an event for everyone, not just car fans. MORE INFO: southarmclassics.com
6th Annual Harbor Springs Car Show
Aug. 13 Harbor Springs, Zorn Park
Sport cars, vintage cars, classic trucks, Brass Era cars, hot rods and race cars – pretty much anything goes at Harbor Springs’ auto event of the summer. Run by volunteer car enthusiasts, this casual version of an Up North auto event runs all evening and ends at dusk, with special car show rates at the Birchwood Inn adding to the fun. MORE INFO: birchwoodinn.com/specialevents/carfestival.html
Corvette Crossroads Car Show
Aug. 21-22 Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Crossings Mall
If you love Corvettes – the classic Chevrolet sports car made by General Motors for over seven generations – then this is your car show. There’s a lot to do here in addition to car-viewing, including free entertainment, a laser light show and a coinciding arts and crafts show, but the real highlight is when the Corvettes line up to drive en masse across the Mackinac Bridge. MORE INFO: mackinawchamber.com
Boyne Kiwanis Car Show
Sept. 5 Boyne City, downtown and Veterans Park
Every Labor Day weekend, Boyne City’s streets are full of classic cars and those who admire them. A Friday night preview during Stroll the Streets on Sept. 4 offers a sneak peek of the big happenings Saturday, which will include DJ music in the park, breakfast and lunch offerings from Thick N’ Juicy diner and cars in 28 trophy classes, plus a Lake Street-Water Street cruise. MORE INFO: boynechamber.com
Mike McIntosh Memorial Classic Car and Truck Show
Sept.;date TBA Traverse City, NMC’s Automotive Bldg. on Aero Park Drive
Named for late NMC automotive instructor McIntosh, who organized the first car show back in 2004, this event not only features classic cars and 4x4s, but also offers attendees the chance to take a peek at NMC student projects and vehicles. Proceeds from food sales and a silent auction benefit the automotive program at the college. MORE INFO: nmc.edu