Whether you prefer Ford, Chevrolet or imports, there is sure to be plenty of polished steel and chrome to admire at the eighth annual Ladysmith Show and Shine on Aug. 20.
“We’re going to line First Avenue from Roberts Street right down to Warren Street with cars,” said show and shine chairman Ron Howe.
“On each side of the avenue are cars and right down the middle are the spectators and it’s usually a pretty sunny day. You get thousands of people coming through the town during the event.”
While there have been a few changes in the awards department, car and motorcycle enthusiasts can expect the same combination of hot rides and hot weather.
“It’s good family fun,” Howe said.
“Something for everybody, that’s what we shoot for.”
Last year’s event saw about 165 cars and bikes line Ladysmith’s main drag during the Show and Shine.
Cars can range anywhere from the early 1900s to 2011.
“Pretty much anything is allowed, we even allow motorcycles,” Howe said. “And it’s not just North American cars, we also enjoy the British cars that come in as well.”
The cost to enter a vehicle in the show is $15 and it can be entered on the day, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the registration booth near High Street. Howe is hopeful that the number of cars will match if not increase this year, as some of the proceeds go to the Ladysmith Food Bank.
Last year’s event raised $500.
“I’m always hoping for 200, but we’re getting a good response,” he said. “It largely depends on if the weather is going to be good.”
This year, there will be four people’s choice awards and one participant’s choice award.
While there will be no prize bags this year, all winners will still receive a dash plaque, and there will be prize giveaways throughout the day, music, and a bouncy castle for the kids.
The Rod Run takes place the evening before the show and shine and is a parade of cars.
Those wanting to participate must bring their cars to the upper parking lot at the 49th Parallel Grocery by 6:30 p.m.
“What we do is go through the roundabout in Ladysmith, down Dogwood to Davis, then cross the highway and get on Chemainus Road, and take that all the way down to Chemainus and go around the roundabout there and then back track back to the 49th Parallel,” Howe said.
The Ladysmith Show and Shine will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 20.
For more information on the event, visit the website at http://members.shaw.ca/ladysmithsns/
“Come out and have a good time,” Howe said.