It’s time to get your engines revving for the ninth annual Ladysmith Show and Shine.
This Saturday (Aug. 18), more than 200 shined and souped-up cars will line First Avenue for a visual feast of metal, chrome, fibreglass and rubber.
“It’s getting bigger every year,” says show chairman Ron Howe. “It should be a good year.”
The Show and Shine is open to all makes and models of cars and motorcycles and will offer its usual brand of family fun, including a kids’ play area and entertainment by Fred Wortley.
“We’ve got vendors showing up, a lot of different makes and models of cars, some real custom pieces,” Howe said. “It’s a good family atmosphere.”
There will be four People’s Choice Awards and one Participant’s Choice Award given out at the show, and this year, there will be trophies in the motorcycle category as well.
As in previous years, partial proceeds from the event will be given to the Ladysmith Food Bank. About $1,500 was donated in 2011.
And for the third year in a row, there will be a Rod Run the night before the show, Fri., Aug. 17.
There were approximately 50 cars at last year’s Rod Run, and organizers are hoping for much more this year.
It is being held at a new location, the Ladysmith A&W on the Trans-Canada Highway at Oyster Sto-Lo Road.
Owner Jason Kelland and Rod Run co-ordinator Tammy Leslie have been working on providing a fun-filled evening of classic cars.
“We will be fully staffed and ready to rock and roll,” said Kelland. “We’re hoping people will come back to our location after the run.”
On-site festivities include a performance by Flashback Freddy, an appearance by the Harbour City Roller Derby Girls, vendors, prize draws and more.
VI Performance Magazine will also be on the grounds taking photographs, Kelland said.
The fun gets started at 5:30 p.m. and the run will depart at 7 p.m. sharp.
The route will start and end at the Ladysmith A&W, run through Ladysmith on First Avenue through to Dogwood Drive, then down Davis Road to Chemainus Road and return via the Chemainus Road roundabout. The trip is estimated to take about 45 minutes.
Due to limited space, the Ladysmith Show and Shine is capped at 250 cars. According to Howe, last year’s event was so popular, cars had to be turned away at the event. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on First Avenue and High Street and costs $15.
For advance registration information, visit the Ladysmith Show and Shine website or call 250-619-2387.
