LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
It’s the 20th anniversary of the annual Father’s Day Show and Shine this weekend in Qualicum Beach, and once again, it will be busy.
Over 15,000 spectators are expected to view around 600 vehicles, including custom models, antiques, classics, hotrods, muscle cars, motorcycles and more. Chairman of the Seaside Cruizers Car Club (which puts on the show), Dave Field, said it’s a great family event for Father’s Day, and attracts vehicle lovers of all ages.
“I think the love of cars is out there still, whether it be old guys like me in our 60s who have had cars in the ‘50s and ‘60s to even young people, there’s still an attraction of the automobile,” he said.
The Show and Shine was mentioned on the Oprah Winfrey Show about eight years ago, as one of the ten best things to do on Father’s Day.
There are a few changes to the usual weekend schedule this year, starting off with a Cruise-In that starts 5 p.m. Friday night at Harris Parksville GM. From there the eye-catching vehicles will travel around the streets of Parksville into Qualicum Beach and back to Harris in Parksville where a drive-in style movie will play on an enormous, inflatable screen at 9 p.m. The movie shown will be American Graffiti, and those not registered in the Cruise can bring a lawn chair to watch. The Cruise happened at the Parksville A&W in the past, but that location wasn’t large enough to support the drive-in-movie segment, said Field. Entry is by donation with proceeds going to charity.
On Saturday, June 15, the Poker Run will begin and end at Arrowsmith Golf and Country Club. Drivers depart at 11 a.m. and head to various locations around the Parksville and Qualicum Beach area collecting poker cards. A barbecue takes place at 12:30 at the golf club and awards will be handed out for best poker hands at 2 p.m.
Later that evening at 6 p.m. a street dance will see Second Avenue and Primrose Street in Qualicum Beach closed to vehicles as the Malloomba Boogie Band performs. Food vendors will be on site with treats like cotton candy, popcorn and mini doughnuts, along with the usual food and refreshments from local food establishments.
“It should be a fun night, the Malloomba Bogie Band is a great band and they seem to be quite popular with people in this area,” said Field.
On Sunday, Father’s Day begins with a Shriner’s Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to around 11 a.m. downtown by the Village Theatre. Music from the ’50 and ‘60s will echo around the town throughout the day and at noon the Arrowsmith Pipe band will perform, paying tribute to fallen car enthusiasts, drivers and riders. This includes late car club member and director Gary Hopkins, who died last fall and was instrumental in helping run the annual show.
There will be stuff for kids to do at the event, including face-painting, balloons and car stickers.
The trophy and awards presentation will take place at 2:30 p.m., when the event comes to an end.
For more information on the show visit www.seasidecruizers.com.
