For the second time in less than a month, the streets of Port Coquitlam will be coming alive with the sights and sounds of classic and souped-up cars.
On Saturday (Sept. 11), the Cat and Fiddle Pub is hosting its annual cruise followed on Sunday (Sept. 12) by its first show since 2019. Both events are fundraisers for Wounded Warriors Canada that provides mental health supports for veterans and first responders.
Organizer Shirley McMillan said the cruise will follow the same route as the PoCo Car Show’s event on Aug. 21. Participants will gather at the pub at 6 p.m. then hit the road an hour later.
McMillan said between 80 and 120 cars are expected, although that number could increase substantially if the weather is good.
She said after more than a year of COVID-19 public health restrictions that limited the ability of car buffs to stage shows or show off their beloved projects to each other and the public, everyone is eager to get rolling again.
“That’s what they live for,” McMillan said of the hobbyist mechanics who put in hundreds of hours of toil and thousands of dollars to breathe renewed life into vintage vehicles.
She said while many enthusiasts have managed to get together in smaller, informal gatherings through the course of the pandemic, the big events like neighbourhood cruises and shows that can attract tens of thousands of people are what provide the biggest buzz.
“It’s nice for people to be able to show them off,” said McMillan, who, along with her husband, has spent countless hours building up their ’57 Chevy Bel Air from little more than a rusted chassis.
McMillan said the appeal of classic cars and hot rods crosses generations. Even kids will get excited about an old Dodge Charger restored to look like the car from the 1970s TV show The Dukes of Hazzard, or a Camaro that evokes the talking car, Kit, from Knight Rider, because their parents catch the shows on cable TV channels dedicated to classic programs, or they talk about them.
McMillan said the enthusiasts also get something from being able to gather, as they’ll admire each other’s handiwork, get ideas for their own projects and maybe learn a bit more about the history of their vehicle.
Sunday’s show at the Cat and Fiddle begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. As well as gathering cars and trucks from different eras, hot rods, low-riders and even vintage motorcycles, the event includes a raffle, 50/50 draw and trophies for top entrants.
For more information, or to inquire about registering your own vehicle, you can email McMillan at shirleymcm60@yahoo.ca.
