CLASSIC SUMMER EVENT RETURNS
The sun will meet the shine on Saturday, July 28, as the Watrous Fun Run Auto Show & Shine brings cars of all shapes and sizes to the heart of Saskatchewan for its 27 th year.
The day’s events will begin early at 8 a.m.
“We start with a pancake breakfast in the morning just locally on Main Street, and we start doing show registration and parking at 9 o’clock,” says Jason Lindgren, the event’s organizer. “Basically, you can register right up to the end of the day, but the show itself is on Main Street from 9 a.m. until about 3:30 or 4 p.m., depending on how the day’s going. At the end of the day, we do a Main Street and little cruise around town, and then out to Manitou Beach usually (depending on conditions).”
Aside from the conventional automobiles on display, there are many other features to keep visitors entertained.
“We have food vendors — we’ve got all of our local restaurants there that are available to everybody,” says Lindgren. “And then, throughout the day, we’ve got different special attractions, whether it be dragsters, jet cars, pulling tractors or
pulling trucks — different stuff that people don’t necessarily get to get up close and personal with.”
There are additional activities specially selected for the children in attendance. Face painting, Beeper the Clown and dogs from Sask Agility Dog do demonstrations throughout the day.
The participants who bring their vehicles will first get to be a part of an excellent car show, and, later in the day, will be eligible for special recognition.
“After the parade and cruise goes, then we have an awards supper and banquet,” says Lindgren. “During that, we give away prizes and rewards, have a meal, and wrap it up. Everybody’s usually on their way home before 8 o’clock at night.”
Those prizes include a cash reward for the club with the most cars registered, which will be increase from $300 to $500 if the winning club has over 15 cars registered. “We’ve also got a pre-registration draw, so participants that pre-register by the date are eligible for a $300 cash draw,” said Lindgren. “As well, we give away a VIP package, which is a couple nights’ accommodations down at Manitou Springs Mineral Spa.”
Originally established by the Watrous Chamber of Commerce, the Fun Run was intended as an opportunity to showcase all that the community has to offer, and it is still sponsored by local businesses for that very reason. “The community really gets behind the event, whether it be through sponsoring the awards or different door prizes,” says Lindgren.
The idea has proven popular with participants and visitors, and Lindgren expects over 200 vehicles this year.
“People plan around the Fun Run to come that weekend to camp, and to meet up with people, and just enjoy our facilities out here,” he says. “If you’re looking at coming out as a spectator, make your reservations early. Come out, and just plan on spending the day.”
For up-to-date information regarding the event schedule, see its website at watrousfunrun.com.