A CLASSIC RAIN DELAY
Car show sparkles, a week late
It was a rain-delayed, recordsetting year for the Labour Day Show N Shine — put on by Access Communications, the Collectors Car Club and CAA Saskatchewan.
The Show N Shine has become part of the September long weekend, along with the Riders playing the Blue Bombers, cooler nights, and heading back to classrooms.
But a wet Labour Day meant this year’s show had to be delayed from Monday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Sept. 11.
That meant there were somewhat fewer than the usual 400 to 500 or so vehicles on display.
But the amount of money raised for the Regina Food Bank was the most ever, at $26,145.
Usually about 4,000 to 5,000 people come to take a look at the vehicles on display at Access Communications Community Park, just behind the Access Communications building at Park and Arcola.
“What makes this show unique is the setting, on the grass in Access Park,” explains Doug Alexander, manager of community relations at Access Communications.
“Classic car owners view our Show N Shine as the last big car show of the summer,” he adds.
A few years ago the show had to be cancelled — not just delayed — because of poor weather.
“We learned a lesson the hard way one year. We were rained out, and we hadn’t set a rain date,” explains Jim Deane, president and CEO at Access.
“We were overly-optimistic. It’s been eleven years since the first show, but this year’s was the tenth edition. So now we pick a rain date, in case it rains on Labour Day.”
Having a rain date proved to be prudent this year.
Participants pay $10 to enter their cars — and they get a goodie bag of products supplied by sponsors. Spectators pay $5, and donations to the food bank are encouraged. It ended up being a record-setting year, with $26,145 raised.
“We are so grateful to the Access Communications, the Collectors Car Club and everyone who came to the Show N Shine,” said Steve Compton, CEO of the food bank.
“Over 9,000 people visit the food bank each month — half of whom are children — and the success of this year’s event will help a lot of families in the Regina area.”
Most car shows are tied into a charity of some type.
“When people drive by a show and shine — not just this one — they’re supporting a worthy cause somewhere. So this has become the flagship of that kind of event. Collector car guys give back to the community by displaying their cars,” says Deane.
About 70 volunteers help to put the show on.
“The Collectors Car Club brings the expertise on putting on a car show. Volunteers from the food bank are at the gates and collect the entry fees. The Access folks handle logistics,” Deane says.
“Planning for the show begins in May each year, with an organizing committee comprised of members from the Collectors Car Club, Access Communications and the Regina and District Food Bank,” says Alexander.
And there’s more than just old cars. There are also food vendors, face painting and balloons for kids, 50/50 draws, and displays by sponsors. This year, CAA Saskatchewan became the title sponsor, in the first of a threeyear deal.
The idea for this car show came to Deane when he was strolling through the park behind the Access building one day with another car guy.
“I was walking through the park more than 10 years ago along with a fellow Collector Car Club member who’s an employee here at Access. We were saying this would be a really cool place for a car show, because it’s on the grass, and that would be unique in Regina. We got talking some more — and the next year we organized a car show for the first time,” Deane recalls.
Deane says that first show attracted about 185 cars. That’s grown to about an average of 400 to 500 or so cars in recent years.
Deane has been a car guy all his life. His first car was a 1955 Chevrolet. Today he owns a 1972 GMC half-ton truck, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird convertible and a 1965 Corvette Sting Ray. He also has a vintage motorcycle — a 1972 Triumph T100R Daytona.
While there are plenty of car shows each summer, the Labour Day Show N Shine has grown to become the largest outdoor car show in southern Saskatchewan. People come from Alberta, Montana, North Dakota and Manitoba to show off their vehicles.
As well as displaying the cars on grass, another thing that sets this show apart from others is that there are no judges at this one. Anyone can bring any vehicle. There are no scores handed out by experts on such things as the paint, interior or engine.
“We see cars that ordinarily don’t get out. There’s really no pressure. Nobody is going to judge your car — you can just display your car and see what the reaction is,” Deane says.
Sponsors and spectators select their favourite vehicles — based on emotions, rather than scorecards.
Car shows are getting more popular — and several have started up in Regina and area since the first Access show in 2006, including shows in Moose Jaw and Pilot Butte.
“I think the collector car hobby is taking off. It’s a great way for families to spend time together. Secondly, community groups and non-profits have found it’s a fun way to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes,” Deane says.
So what’s ahead for the future of the Labour Day Show N Shine? How do organizers walk the line between building on traditions, yet evolving and changing?
Well, the secret to a successful car show is simply — the cars. Deane says the best way to keep the show looking new every year — and therefore keep people coming back, while also attracting new visitors — is to find old cars that people haven’t seen before.
As Dean says: “There are different vehicles every year. So that keeps it fresh.”
When people drive by a show and shine — not just this one — they’re supporting a worthy cause somewhere.