Cars will be shining and fathers beaming as they make their way down busy streets to check out vehicles in the 18th annual Show and Shine this Father’s Day in Qualicum Beach.
The popular car show took their limit of 630 cars last year, with an estimated attendance of between 13,000 and 15,000 people. The Seaside Cruizers Car Club puts the event on every year, and president Norm Biddlecombe said it can’t really get any bigger.
“It’s at its peak,” he said, “we actually turned cars away last year because there was just no room.”
The event stretches over the weekend beginning Friday evening with a Cruise-In, starting at Parksville A&W at 6 p.m.
The route for the cruise has changed in order to keep the cars moving, Biddlecombe explained, eliminating the slow creep through subdivisions which can cause over-heating.
This cruise is always a big hit, Biddlecombe said.
“That’s a big thing, last year’s cruise had 190 cars leaving from A&W and we’re expecting it will probably be pretty well the same,” he said.
Saturday will see a Poker Run for the car show participants at Bugsy’s Bar and Grill, where the cars stop at five different locations and pick up poker cards sealed in envelopes. This event starts at 11 a.m. and prizes for the best poker hand are then awarded at a Bugsy’s barbecue Saturday afternoon.
Saturday at 6 p.m. there will be a street dance in Qualicum Beach with live music from Mike Jarvis and Associates.
Sunday is the grand finale with the Show and Shine car show in Qualicum Beach. A pancake breakfast by the Shriners starts the day off from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
A tribute to fallen hotrodders, truckers, bikers, Canadian Forces, RCMP, fire fighters and paramedics will begin at noon with the Mt. Arrowsmith Pipe Band and a moment of silence.
Cars registering Sunday morning for the car show will line up at the Civic Centre parking lot this year, allowing them to come in and shut off their engines while waiting, rather than idling through Qualicum Beach’s streets, Biddlecombe said. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Biddlecombe said all the hard work organizing the event is worth it when he sees families enjoying themselves.
“After all the work’s done I enjoy seeing young families with their kids, it’s a real family event,” he said.
Trophies and awards will be given out at 2:30 p.m. to mark the close of the weekend’s events. As an extra bonus for the ladies, Qualicum Beach’s downtown shops will be open all day.
For more information on the Show and Shine Father’s Day Weekend visit www.seasidecruizers.com or call Norm Biddlecombe at 250-248-1015.