The Customs and Classics Show and Shine brought the community of Sylvan Lake together Saturday as well over 1,000 spectators to see over 200 cars, some of which were manufactured as early as the 1920s.
Sylvan Lake Customs and Classics club president Gord Bredo said the number of spectators had increased by four or five hundred this year.
“It’s great for a small town,” Bredo said. “We increased the spot for the spectators considerably and it is jam packed.”
The number of participants this year was comparable to last year, and Bredo said some came from Calgary and as far as British Columbia.
The event’s appeal to a wide age range, he feels, had something to do with that.
“It’s family friendly and fun for the whole family,” he said.
That fun was definitely evident as car owners socialized with each other and left spectators to have a peek at their cars.
Even though this year’s event was well attended, Bredo still encourages further participation next year.
“If you’ve never been to a show, maybe come and it might pique your interest into a classic car,” Bredo said. “It may bring back some memories of Grandpa’s old Model A, you never know.”
Patsy and Ivan Kachanoski travelled all the way from Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. to attend the event and brought two different cars — a 1956 Ford Thunderbird in stock condition and a 1956 black Ford F-100, both of which were on display.
This year was their fourth time participating in the event, and it’s certainly unlikely to be their last.
“It’s like an old homecoming,” said Patsy. “It’s a long trip for us, but we don’t care, because we get treated nicely by these folks. I can’t say enough about them; they are good people.”