Radium’s 2011 show and shine

One of many rare and beautiful sets of wheels parades through Invermere during last year's show and shine. (CVGuide photo)

Sep 16-17, Radium / Invermere –

Enthusiastic classic car fans will soon be pouring into Radium Hot Springs for the eagerly anticipated annual Columbia Valley Classics Autumn Show and Shine to be held on Friday and Saturday, September 16 and 17, 2011. Visitors come to the event-packed weekend from all over BC, as far as Ontario and down into the United States to show off their lovingly restored automobiles, maybe brag a little and chat with other classic car owners — or they come just to admire someone else’s and dream of owning one themselves someday. It’s also a great place to stir up memories of the old days –- the car your dad owned when you were a kid or even the very first one you bought with the earnings from your first real job.

This will be the 21st annual show and it has grown from 75 cars back in 1990 to over 1,000 expected this year.

Friday evening’s events will take place in the Radium Ball Park, with live entertainment by talented local musicians and a beer garden, hosted by the Radium Rotary Club, from 6-9pm. From 7-9pm, classic car owners can register at the Radium Seniors Hall, by the park. Registration fee is $20 and all makes and models of cars and trucks are welcome. If you don’t make it to the registration at the Seniors Hall, you can register and pay at the gate on Saturday morning.

From 7-10am Saturday, the Radium Fire Department is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Seniors Hall. Cost is $5 per person. Then, amble over to see the classic cars and trucks at the show and shine at the Springs Golf Course driving range. Hosting the show will be Cliff Barkley, one of the original members of the Columbia Valley Classic Car Club which began in 1989, and himself, the proud owner of a canary yellow 1930s Chevrolet street rod coupe. Cliff has had a love affair with hot rods since he was 10 years old and got his first one at age 14. There’s just about nothing Cliff doesn’t know about hot rods!

Promptly at 4pm, the vehicles will begin their cruise down the highway to Invermere where crowds will welcome them along the parade route through town.

Then dress up in your old 50’s digs and come on out to the ball park where, from 7pm-1am, you can dance to the tunes of a live new band, under a tent with a dance floor and heater -– a fitting end to the weekend’s event. The cost is $25 per person.

For more information about the show and shine, or to inquire about accommodation, please contact the Radium Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce at 250-347-9331, toll-free at 1-888-347-9331 or the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Centre at 250-342-2844.

To find out more about the Columbia Valley Classic Car Club, see their informative website at http://columbiavalleyclassics.com/home .