Due to popular demand, the Cruise Night is starting from a different location, but otherwise organizers of the 23rd annual Father’s Day Show ‘n Shine in Qualicum Beach are sticking with their winning formula.
“It’s growing steadily, there were over 300 cars last year,” said Dave Field, chair of the hosting Seaside Cruizers Car Club of the Friday Cruise Night that kicks off a full weekend of car-related events on June 17.
He thanked Harris Oceanside GM for hosting the start of the cruise for years, but said it’s just getting too big for their lot, so this year the Friday night cruise will start beside the curling rink in Parksville Community Park.
People will start gathering at 5 p.m. and they will depart en masse at 7 p.m. for a route winding through Parksville, French Creek, Qualicum Beach and back.
Saturday morning they host a poker run, limited to 125 pre-registered vehicles who will meet at 9 a.m. at the Arrowsmith Golf and Country Club. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be a “dyno,” or dynamometer, on site for anyone to stop by and test their engine power.
That evening is the street dance with Parksville group Rumble Beach back from last year to play classic rock from the 1950s to ’70s, complete with vendors and around 800 people expected to take over the intersection of Primrose and Second from 6-10 p.m.
On Sunday, June 19, the giant Show ‘n Shine will take over downtown Qualicum Beach, expanding a block to increase from 550 to 600 vehicles on display, including everything from motorbikes to classics to the latest hotrods.
While around 60 per cent of the cars come from the Island, they get some from across western Canada and the U.S. west, with some occasionally coming from all over the continent.
There are some big raffles and prizes available to the public, including some classic kid’s pedal cars, a fancy stanless steel barbecue and a hotrod grill.
Throughout the day music from the 1950s and ’60s is played across the area and along with the auto-related fun and vendors there is a wide array of food available from mobile vendors, restaurants and service groups.
The day starts bright and early with a Shriners pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m., the main display starting at 9 a.m. and getting a formal “grand opening” at noon, complete with pipe band, and running to about 3 p.m.
Field said they have estimated they get about 20-25,000 visitors, with the help of aerial photos, but admits there’s no way to know for sure as people come and go from the wide open, free event. He suggested people go early if they want decent parking.
For more information and registration visit http://seasidecruizers.com.
