There's something about the sleek lines of a vintage tail fin, the inspired curves of a classic fender, the shine of polished chrome to inspire the human spirit.
The pull of the highway is a primal urge and the need for speed is an intoxicating sensation that draws us in wonder and fantasy to the automobile. If dog is our best friend then the automobile is our best machine.
The city's finest will be on proud display this Sunday at Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park. The 45th Annual Cruisin' Classics Show 'n' Shine is on again for Father's Day.
"The park is always packed. It's just a ton of people who come out to see," said club member Rick Fewster. "We've had estimates of 15,000 people before. It's so exciting to see how much support the community gives this one-time-a-year event."
There are prizes for a number of vehicle and vintage categories. There are big rigs, motorcycles, precisely restored classics, inventive hotrods, army vehicles, even boats - everything from ancient artifacts to cutting edge modern machines. Fewster said it is a thrill for the club members to see the different kinds of autos people bring to the park each year to enter in the display.
To bring your own pride-piece, simple drive it down between 8-10 a.m. (trailering can also be done, for the non-street-legal vehicle, as long as the trailer can be removed from the public viewing area during the show) and sign in at the registration desk (20th Avenue and Ingledew Street). It costs $10 to display.
Admission for spectators is free.
"People always know they're going to get to see some spectacular vehicles, and every year there are interesting new ones," Fewster said.
He likes this event himself, as do all the club members. They have their own cars there to show the public, but they are fans just like everyone else.
"I like to wander around and look at the craftsmanship," Fewster said. "Not everybody is a mechanic, not everyone is trained to do it, but they still find a way to do spectacular work. People figure it out, and it's amazing to see the imagination people put into it. It really is both a science and an art."
He loves the camaraderie within the club. There are so many backgrounds and varieties of experiences within the membership that if you ever get stuck on a problem, or have concerns about what to do on your own project, someone is likely nearby who can give you some advice.
The Father's Day Show 'n' Shine goes ahead whatever the weather from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
