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Events

MotorCities Events 1170

Tell us when you plan to visit the MotorCites National Heritage Area and we will find some possible events for you. We hope to see you soon!

 

Additional Info

  • Event Title Driven to Win: Racing in America
  • Event Date(s) Now Open
  • Event Location Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
  • Event Description Presented by General Motors, the first comprehensive exhibition covering various forms of American auto racing, including stock car, sports car, drag racing, Indy car, hill climb and land-speed racing, is now open in Dearborn. The 24,000 square-foot exhibit provides visitors an in-depth look at the people, the experiences, the culture, the spectacle, the risks and the innovations centered in the world of American auto sports.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Young Modelers Club
  • Event Date(s) Saturdays Running October 11, 2025 thru April 11, 2025 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society, Eastpointe, MI
  • Event Description Ages 8 to 16, parents welcome to join in. For those who have never built a model, we give you a free snap-together kit to build and take home! All supplies such as tools, paint, glue, etc will be provided for those who bring their own model to build. Members of IPMS Warren model club will be there to help and teach modeling techniques For more info, contact Jim Ashford, 248.399.2386, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Additional Info

  • Event Title Achievement: African Americans' Accomplishments & Contributions in Automotive Exhibit
  • Event Date(s) On Display Now!
  • Event Location Automotive Hall of Fame, Dearborn, MI
  • Event Description The contributions Black Americans have made to the automotive industry have not been celebrated or even fully captured and shared. Very little effort has even been made to conduct the required research to identify the individuals, much less curate an exhibit on their accomplishments. The Automotive Hall of Fame recognizes that these are important stories that need to be told.

Additional Info

  • Event Title 90 Years of Organized Labor Support in the Pontiac Community
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, November 6, 2025 7 p.m.
  • Event Location Pontiac Transportation Museum, Pontiac
  • Event Description Rick Lyons and Dimitrie Toth discuss the history organized labor in the Pontiac Community. FREE admission.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Distracted Driving Simulator
  • Event Date(s) Now Open!
  • Event Location Sloan Museum of Discovery, Flint, MI
  • Event Description The new Distracted Driving interactive game helps drivers see the dangers of driving while distracted and emphasizes the important message of vehicle safety. The new exhibit was supported by a 2024 MotorCities Challenge Grant. Cellphones, text messages music, podcasts and other drivers on the road are introduced to your virtual vehicle while you play. The exhibit actually asks visitors to drive while simultaneously texting messages to friends. The resulting virtual accidents that take place have monetary “costs” assigned based on vehicle damage. Upon completing the course, visitors will see the costs of distracted driving, as well as receive messaging on the dangers of texting while driving. The Distracted Driving Simulator is located in the Museum's Durant Gallery and is free with general admission.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Henry B. Joy & the Selfridge Connection
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, November 9, 2025 1-2 PM
  • Event Location Packard Proving Grounds, Shelby Township, MI
  • Event Description Before it was Selfridge Field, there was Joy Aviation Field—a bold experiment in early 20th-century industrial aviation by Henry Bourne Joy, president of the Packard Motor Car Company. In 1915 he acquired over 600 acres along Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township to test Liberty aircraft engines. This engaging presentation, led by Steve Mrozek, will unravel how that effort led to the government leasing the field in 1917, its transformation into Selfridge Army Aviation Installation, and its enduring role in American aviation history. Perfect for military history buffs, Packard fans, and anyone who loves uncovering Michigan’s industrial past. Tickets: $5 Non-Members, FREE for PPG Members.

Additional Info

  • Event Title How the Packard Proving Grounds Was Saved
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, November 23, 2025 1 - 2 p.m.
  • Event Location Packard Proving Grounds, Shelby Twp., MI
  • Event Description John MacArthur, the lead negotiator in a lengthy effort to preserve this historic automotive testing site, will share his inspiring story of dedication and community spirit. Attendees receive a limited copy of the Fall issue of The Packard Cormorant magazine featuring John’s detailed article on the preservation journey. Extra copies will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 for guests, free for members.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Electric Cars: Past, Present, and Future with Russell Dore
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, November 8, 2025 1:00-2:30PM
  • Event Location Auburn Hills Public Library
  • Event Description Take a journey through the fascinating history of electric vehicles, from their early success and the pioneering work of figures like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison to their decline and dramatic comeback in the modern era. This program explores the innovations driving today’s electric car market, including major manufacturers, the growth of self-driving technology, and the pivotal role of the Detroit area in shaping the future of sustainable transportation.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Soldiers of Productions: Lansing and the Arsenal of Democracy Exhibit Opening
  • Event Date(s) Tuesday, November 11, 2025 10 AM-5 PM
  • Event Location R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing
  • Event Description This event will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and highlight the efforts and sacrifices of Greater Lansing’s automobile industries and workers at Oldsmobile, Motor Wheel, REO Motors, and many others, who endeavored to supply the equipment for Allied victory in Europe and the Pacific. REOTM will offer free admission to the museum from 10 AM to 5 PM on the day of the event. The special video exhibit “America’s World War II through Film” will show hourly, then at 11 AM, there will be an introduction with guest speakers and a ribbon cutting for the official opening of the “Soldiers of Production” exhibit. Then, at 2 PM, there will be a presentation of Lansing’s role in the Arsenal of Democracy by Michael Rodriguez. The exhibit was made possible through the support of the R. E. Olds Foundation and William and Linda Demmer. Event sponsor, LAFCU.