Published: June 5, 2015, 5:00 AM
Updated: June 12, 2015, 4:10 PM
Summer car shows across Canada
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Something for every automotive taste
It is an annual tradition: as the weather warms, car shows pop up all over the country. From weekly cruises in local parking lots where anything goes to exclusive, invitation-only Concours d'Elegance, there's something to suit every automotive taste. If you are interested in checking some out this summer, here are a few highlights from the thousands of such events taking place across Canada – from the left coast to the right.
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Graffiti Day – Cache Creek, BC
June 12-14 – The village of Cache Creek, located an hour west of Kamloops, is thrown back in time with the 28th annual Graffiti Days. Besides the expected show ‘n shine, poker run and car cruise, the Nl’akapxm Eagle Motorplex will play host to a rubber-burning Old Time drags.
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Graffiti Day – Cache Creek, BC
Most events are open to vehicles from 1972 and older, even the sock hop.
http://www.cachecreekvillage.com/content/graffiti-days
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Brits on the Beach – Ladysmith, BC
July 12 – Given their legendary levels of unreliability, attempting to assemble 300 British cars, trucks and motorcycles in one place must be hugely challenging. But the Old English Car Club on Vancouver Island has managed to do this successfully for 15 years now. The expected MG roadsters, Jaguar sedans and sports cars and clean-and-square Land Rovers are all here, as are Triumphs, Rolls-Royce and Bentleys.
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Brits on the Beach – Ladysmith, BC
And Minis. Did we mention Minis? Minis of all shapes and sizes. Held in Ladysmith, BC, this show is popular across the Pacific North West.
http://www.oecc.ca/cib/index.htm
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History road – Wetaskiwin, AB
June 13-14 – Stan Reynolds built up an interesting and eclectic collection of vehicles during his life, thanks to stints as an RCAF fighter pilot and car salesman. The Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, AB, where he donated most of his cars, trucks, planes and more offers an annual celebration of horsepower and ingenuity.
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History road – Wetaskiwin, AB
There are more than 650 vehicles on display, both those owned by the museum and those of show participants. Several classic Fords and Studebakers will make a daily Parade Through the Century.
http://www.history.alberta.ca/reynolds/specialevents/historyroad.aspx
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Rock’n August – St. Albert, AB
August 4-8 – The town of St. Albert, AB – near Edmonton – plays host to Rock’n August every year. It encompasses a full week of live music, cruises, and a show ‘n shine with over 400 classic cars and trucks.
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Rock’n August – St. Albert, AB
Around 18,000 people are expected to watch the proceedings, with plenty of community activities to keep them entertained including a barbecues and a street dance.
http://www.rocknaugust.com/
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Coachmen Fun Run – Saskatoon, SK
June 7 – The Coachmen Car Club is hitting a big anniversary with its annual Fun Run: 25 years. Held at Pike Lake, in the outskirts of Saskatoon, there’s free entry for participants, and a down-home family-friendly atmosphere.
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Coachmen Fun Run – Saskatoon, SK
Generally around 300 cars show up for this event, mostly a broad mix of machinery from the ‘50s to ‘70s.
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Rock 102 Show & Shine Weekend – Saskatoon, SK
August 21-23 – Classic car lovers in Saskatoon have plenty to be proud about. The Rock 102 Show & Shine packs three days of concerts at Bess Gardens – with April Wine, Saga, Kim Mitchell and Trooper headlining this year – around a massive car show.
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Rock 102 Show & Shine Weekend – Saskatoon, SK
More than 900 classic cars and trucks are expected to jam into the downtown area, although with the cut-off being older than 1995, there should be something for every taste.
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Car Fest 2015 – Winnipeg, MB
June 20 – The Springs Church in Winnipeg hosts one of the largest charity car shows in the city. Its annual Car Fest draws vehicles of all tastes, ranging from the usual muscle cars and hot rods, to drifters, imports and exotics.
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Car Fest 2015 – Winnipeg, MB
There is even an autocross planned, along with a long list of kid-friendly attractions like inflatable bouncers, a petting zoo and reptile display. Other highlights include a bunch of midway games and food vendors. All proceeds go towards helping inner city families and children.
http://www.springschurch.com/winnipeg/churchlife.php?programId=100
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Fleetwood Country Cruize-In – London, ON
June 6-7 – It’s the ultimate two-day auto event drawing thousands of classic cars and fans from across Ontario and the U.S. to this sprawling110-acre private estate in London with four stone homes, ponds, bridges, fountains, a 10,000-square-foot showroom of memorabilia and an 8,000-square-foot Cadillac Salon.
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Fleetwood Country Cruize-In – London, ON
There’s a raft of outdoor events and automotive celebrities, including this year’s featured attraction, a Dukes of Hazzard Actor’s Reunion.
www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com
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Golden Beach Car Show – Roseneath, ON
June 21 – This will be the 25th year for the Golden Beach car show, held at Golden Beach resort on Rice Lake, which has become a favourite for auto enthusiasts from all over south-eastern Ontario. All proceeds from the event, which draws hundreds of cars, go to support the local Roseneath Firefighter's Association.
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Golden Beach Car Show – Roseneath, ON
There's lots of food available, plenty of other vendors, a water play area for the kids and a variety of spot prizes for participants. Ten cars and five trucks are chosen for Best of Show awards and a Grand Prize winner gets a one-week stay at the resort.
www.goldenbeachresort.com/#!annual-car-show-hosted-by-gbr/c3cr
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Autofest Oshawa – Oshawa, ON
Aug. 21-23 – This is the 22nd year of the massive Autofest weekend, hosted by the Motor City Car Club, and it continues to reaffirm Oshawa’s reputation as Canada’s automobile capital.
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Autofest Oshawa – Oshawa, ON
More than 1,300 classic cars, rods, trucks and motorcycles cruise the city’s streets and assemble at Lakeview Park for three days of motors, music, munchies and a whole lot more. There’s a lot to see and do for families and car fans of all ages all weekend long.
www.autofestoshawa.com
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Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance – Owen Sound, ON
September 12-13 – The Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance is the crown jewel of Canada's summertime auto shows – the only one that attracts the same levels of exotic machinery as the big American Concours, such as Amelia Island and St. Johns and Pebble Beach.
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Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance – Owen Sound, ON
The event is held at the picturesque Cobble Beach Resort on the shores of Georgian Bay, about 10 minutes from Owen Sound. This year will be the third for the grand event, which grows in stature each year.
www.cobblebeachconcours.com
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Cruisin at the Boardwalk – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC
June 13 – The beautiful downtown of picturesque Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC – located on the Island of Montreal – plays host to one of the newest shows around. Cruisin at the Boardwalk features 500 vintage cars and trucks taking over Ste. Anne Street, nearby the town’s famous canal.
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Cruisin at the Boardwalk – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC
More than 20,000 people are expected to take in the festivities, including lots of family-friendly activities and music.
http://cruisinattheboardwalk.com/
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Hot Rod Kustom Rumble – Rigaud, QC
August 8 – The crowd at the Hot Rod and Kustom Rumble might sport more tattoos and piercings than your usual car show, but that rat-rod and pin-up-girl vibe should be embraced.
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Hot Rod Kustom Rumble – Rigaud, QC
The one-day event held in Rigaud, QC sports five live bands, food and drink, plenty of concessions and inflatable games. Entries are $10 each, and cars, trucks and motorcycles are restricted to those older than 1980.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hot-Rod-and-Kustom-Rumble/152388828104863?sk=timeline
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Atlantic Nationals – Moncton, NB
July 9-12 – The largest show in the Maritime Provinces, the Atlantic Nationals offers something for everyone. With more than 2,000 vehicles on display from across Canada and the East Coast of the U.S., the city of Moncton happily turns itself into a high-octane party.
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Antique Car Show and Shine – Truro, NS
June 6-7 – The Golden Age Auto Club can lay claim to having one of the oldest antique auto clubs in Nova Scotia and its annual Show and Shine has grown dramatically in its 33 years. While the show struggled to get over 40 cars in its first year of 1975,by l 1994 it broke the thousand-vehicle mark.
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Antique Car Show and Shine – Truro, NS
The GAAC currently holds the show at the Colchester Legion Stadium in Truro, NS, and needs all the space it can get thanks to the extensive selection of food vendors, air brush displays and an indoor flea market. Vehicles must be from 1985 or older to participate.
http://www.goldenageautoclub.com/events.htm
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Atlantic Nationals – Moncton, NB
More than 130,000 spectators take in the show annually, with all proceeds going directly to local charities. This year’s celebrity guests include hot-rod builder Gene Wilson and, television hosts Courtney Hansen and Chris Jacobs. The show’s grand prize is a beautiful, fully-built custom turnkey ‘32 Highboy Roadster.
http://www.atlanticnationals.com/
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Show ‘n Shine – Brudenell, PEI
July 3-5 – For nearly 40 years, the PEI Street Rod Association has been holding its annual Show ‘n Shine in Brudenell, and this year’s event promises to be one of the best. Beyond two days of vehicle displays, there’s a Rod Run on the Saturday for registered participants, along with a chowder lunch and dance in the evening.
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Show ‘n Shine – Brudenell, PEI
The show is open to vehicles of any age and modern muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang are regular sights.
http://peistreetrod.com
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