Raise a toast to a wonderful vintage
APPRECIATION DAY: On Saturday, B.C. does its part to recognize the cultural heritage of classic cars
There is something special about classic cars. They provide a lot of enjoyment to both young and old, with the latter reminded of the days gone by; and the former able to compare the old with the new.
Some provinces, along with states in the U.S., have recognized this since 2010 and created Collector Car Appreciation Month and a particular day within that month to celebrate.
Here in B.C., that day is this Saturday.
The objective of this celebration is to recognize that the “collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage in North America.”
In British Columbia alone there are more than 200 car shows held annually which have supported charities by raising well in excess of $500,000. These charities include food banks, Children’s Hospitals, Muscular Dystrophy and Juvenile Diabetes.
In addition, some of the larger events have created scholarships to put the younger generation through an apprenticeship in the automotive trade and a four-year Automotive Restoration degree program at McPherson College, Kansas.
This Saturday across the province there will be a car-related event in your community.
Two in particular that I would like to mention is the Squamish-based Classic Car Adventures’ CCAD gathering taking place at the Park & Tilford shopping plaza in North Vancouver (classiccaradventures.com). Classic vehicles will arrive between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and if you please bring a donation for the Food Bank.
Out in the Fraser Valley, the Mill Lake Cruise-In has room for more than 700 cars with the proceeds from the event going to support Abbotsford Arts Council and the MSA Museum Society (msamuseum.ca/ mill-lake-cruise-in).
I would encourage everyone with a classic car to dust it off and take it out this Saturday. No excuses. Go and charge the battery now!
The Specialty Vehicle Association of BC will be recording the number of events and reporting back to the provincial government to thank them for recognizing the old car community and the support that they give to others, be it monetary, putting a smile on someone’s face or rekindling memories of the days gone by.