Car show returns for 20th year

The World of Wheels needs new volunteers to step up if it’s going to keep spinning through Peachland to the delight of car enthusiasts.

Three of the five members of the core volunteer group that presents the popular May long weekend car show in Peachland plan to soon scale back their involvement.

“It’s a small group we have that does most of the planning and the work, although we do have a lot of volunteers come out on the day of the show to help out,” said Borana Bach, a member of the show’s organizing committee.

“We’re going to need some more help after this weekend’s show to make sure we have an event next year,” Bach said.

This Sunday will be the 20th year for the show, which usually attracts between 300 and 500 people proud to show off their sports cars, power trucks, antiques and other prized vehicles along Beach Avenue.

Somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 people usually take in the free, one-day show, depending on the weather. It’s routinely described as the biggest annual event in Peachland, pop. 5,200.

Most of those showing off their vehicles are from the Okanagan, but there are those who drive to Peachland from as far away as Saskatchewan to attend, Bach said.

A new wrinkle this year is live entertainment in Cousins Park with 3/4 Crush, Poppa Daw, Gorden James and Brigitta Davidson.

“We’ve morphed into a little bit more of an attraction, with music and vendors,” said Pam Cunningham, president of the World of Wheels non-profit society.

With the $15 participant registration fee and business sponsorships, the show, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., generates thousands of dollars for non-profit groups and charities.

This year, the funds will be directed toward the construction of a new fishing pier along the shore of Heritage Park in downtown Peachland.