Classic cars, classic fun, classic community spirit
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Updated: June 29, 2009 4:50 PM
Sometimes good things arrive slowly.
The Village Classic car show was launched six years ago as a way to highlight the city’s downtown and take advantage of its historic setting.
These kinds of car shows have been tried with success in other communities, most notably Langley and New Westminster.
Success in Chilliwack wasn’t immediate. Noted downtown BIA president Ken Popove: “It’s taken a while to build. These things take time to morph.”
But organizers must have been smiling on Sunday. More than 7,000 people are estimated to have turned out for this year’s event, turning downtown Chilliwack into a midway of motors. Every type of vehicle was on display, from antique roadsters to high performance muscle cars.
There were about 300 vehicles at this year’s event. That’s 70 more compared with last year.
And many of the vehicles are local.
“I’m blown away by the number of cars we have right here in Chilliwack,” Popove told The Progress. “So many of them are stored in garages and barns and are only brought out on nice days.”
The Village Classic gives car buffs a chance to show off their hard work to their friends and neighbours.
But the event is about more than just cars. It’s an opportunity for downtown businesses to strut their stuff. It’s a chance for them to let people see the variety that’s available in Chilliwack’s downtown.
And even if some weren’t shopping that day, they might be back now that they’ve seen what the downtown has to offer.
Organizing an event like this takes a ton of work. So it’s gratifying to see that work so well received by the community.
It sets the tone for summer and the BIA’s Friday night “Party in the Park.”
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