the cars are back!

By Dale Davison

One very visible part of Virden’s Wild West Daze is the annual Show & Shine. This year the event promises to be bigger and better than ever. Between 5 and 8 Thursday, Aug. 17 check out the Farmers’ Market site as well as Wellington Street between 6 and 7 Ave. Organizer Murray Davies says closing these streets makes room for the cars to spread out so guests can view these beautiful vehicles and talk to the owners. Participants are eligible for over 60 prizes for their entries.

This year the Road Rebels car club from Brandon will be showing their stuff. This club is a good fit for the Show and Shine since the organizers of the Virden event want to see as many different types of vehicles represented as possible.

The Rebels are a club that features cars, trucks, motorcycles and special interest vehicles. Their focus is to have a good time while preserving and promoting the automotive hobby.

“Our club started in 2003 and we are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year.” said club organizer Dave Burba. “We have a number of planned car shows throughout the year but also plan and attend mini shows at personal care homes and senior living apartments.” The club’s main charity is the Elspeth Family resource Centre, and they help fund the Crocus Plains Automotive Trades course.

The Melita 3 and 83 Cruisers are another area car club with plans to attend. These folks are passionate about their restored treasures and love to show them off, attending many shows across the province this summer, or just getting together to cruise.

And of course, there are dozens of individuals around the area who don’t belong to a club but would love to tell you about their obsession with these beautiful creations of steel and glass.

This can add up to over 160 entries if the weather co-operates. A rainy day can put a damper on the show and not just because it will lead to another wash and shine for the cars. As anyone who attends can see there are millions of dollars invested here and a forecast for thunderstorms, and the risk of hail that can accompany them, strikes fear into the heart of an exhibitor. However last year’s late afternoon drizzle did not stop the show.

It’s a great place for a street party on Thursday Aug. 17.