Text: R. Collins // Photography: HBACM, Mt. Pleasant Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
The summer is a time of barbecues firing up, lake waters warming, and collector cars emerging from their garages to join motor parades and shows across the state. In Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, it’s nearly time for the downtown area’s 5th annual Thunder With Rods Car and Motorcycle Show event, which fills the atmosphere of the quaint downtown with colorful classic cars and their many admirers, year after year.
The event is organized by the Home Builders Association of Central Michigan, or HBACM, a nonprofit organization promoting the regional building industry through advocacy, outreach, education, and investment in its community. For Carmelina Crisci, chief executive officer of the HBACM, the annual event is a steady way to support downtown merchants while continuing the organization’s mission to support its local communities, such as donations from the event.
“It’s a great way for us to give back to the community and we do it with this car show that is incredibly well attended; so, we’re very excited that we not only brought back a fun event to the community to help support it, but also at the participation and way it’s been received so well. We’ve had well over 200 cars show up and that speaks for itself,” Crisci said.
The event typically attracts anywhere from 700 to 1,000 visitors in a year, including dedicated locals and summer visitors who can explore by simply walking through the downtown corridor. This year, the event takes place between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET on July 10th, with a rain-day reserved for Sunday, July 11th. Other than beautiful classic cars and today’s best-and-fastest, the event includes music, activities for kids, an awards ceremony judged by the car and motorcycle participants, and of course the many bars, restaurants, and shops that visitors can visit in between browsing.
“I love watching the kids getting involved in the games and seeing the comradery between the car show participants sitting out there with their chairs,” Crisci said. “I also enjoy the crowds: seeing people come out and walk up and down the streets enjoying the day.”
While in the area, be sure to enjoy the day at any of the Mt. Pleasant region’s picturesque golf courses and ranges, many of which are located off main roadways that connect easily to the downtown core and its restaurants and shops. For more information on Mt. Pleasant golf and several golf packages this season, visit meetmp.com; and, for more timely information on the Thunder with Rods motor show, visit the HBACM’s Facebook page.
More to Explore in Mt. Pleasant:
The Golf Center Miniature Golf | 2280 E Broomfield Rd, Mt. Pleasant
Pohl Bison Bed & Breakfast LLC | 1745 East Rosebush Rd Rosebush, MI
Freddie’s Tavern | 705 S Adams St. Mt. Pleasant, MI
