Blair Dean, at centre left, and Mitchell Bisson received tool boxes from the Okanagan Rodtiques Car Club. Both of the Penticton Secondary students will attend Okanagan College in Kelowna to study heavy duty mechanics next year.

Blair Dean, at centre left, and Mitchell Bisson received tool boxes from the Okanagan Rodtiques Car Club. Both of the Penticton Secondary students will attend Okanagan College in Kelowna to study heavy duty mechanics next year.

Classic car culture celebrated

July has been proclaimed Collector Car Appreciation Month in British Columbia.

Despite the loss of a car show earlier this year, automotive enthusiasts will continue to have a presence in Summerland this summer and fall.

Bob Kelly, a member of the Specialty Vehicle Association of B.C., said July has been proclaimed Collector Car Appreciation Month in British Columbia.

A proclamation will be issued on Thursday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dairy Queen in Summerland.

Each Thursday, owners of vintage vehicles gather at the Dairy Queen from 6 to 8 p.m. for a cruise-in.

The weekly gatherings began in late May and will continue until mid-September.

In addition, the Summerland-based Apple Valley Cruisers car club will hold the ninth annual Endless Summer show and shine on Saturday, Sept. 13. In past years, the show had been held on Main Street, Kelly Avenue and Henry Avenue, but this year, because of the construction of the new library building, the show will be moved to Memorial Park, Wharton Street and a portion of Kelly Avenue.

Kelly anticipates around 200 vehicles for the show. While most of the vehicles are from British Columbia, some are from Alberta and the United States.

Kelly said car club membership has been declining around the province in recent years. However, there is some interest among younger people in restoring and customizing cars.

For the past 12 years, the car club has presented the tool boxes to go to graduates from Penticton and Summerland. The tool box recipients must be good students who wish to continue in transportation mechanics trades work.

The Okanagan Rodtiques Car Club is made up of around 50 members from Summerland and Penticton.

 

Summerland Review