This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Coasters Car Club Sleepy Hollow Rod Run and Show and Shine. These two annual events have almost overgrown capacity on the Sunshine Coast.
Club president Greg Falls said organizers will need to look at revamping safety measures in coming years to accommodate the number of tourists the event is bringing in.
“It’s starting to get very popular on the Pacific Northwest,” Falls said. “We’re getting more cars coming from, not only areas around B.C., but out of province. This year our long distance award went to a fellow from Manitoba.”
The Rod Run and Show and Shine are both free to attend, but Falls estimated that the average tourist coming from off Coast is spending about $500 a day for the car show – including ferries and accommodation.
Fall reported that 465 classic cars drove down Highway 101 to Redrooffs Road on Friday evening in the Rod Run. In keeping with tradition, spectators set themselves up all along the highway and Redrooffs with camping chairs, drinks and – in a few cases – full-on barbecues.
The Show and Shine in downtown Sechelt featured 375 cars, despite the rain on Saturday. The weekend events were put together entirely by 65 volunteers, all of whom are members of Coasters Car Club.
“We do this all ourselves. We totally host this show and fund it all ourselves. But this year, quite a few folks have given services and goodwill. It’s appreciated,” Falls said.
One of the highlights of the weekend was a car auction for a 1976 Mercury Monarch Ghia. It was won by a local 15-year-old named Liam Hafey and will be his first car.
All of the money raised by the auction will be going to a local charity, Falls said.
Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne’s top pick was the 1951 Chevrolet pickup owned by Ron and Liz McIntosh from Sidney, B.C.
Gibsons Mayor Wayne Rowe picked the 1977 Mercedes 450 SL, owned by George Stefan of Whistler.
The long distance award went to the 1968 Pontiac Beaumont station wagon owned by Brian Klassen from Morris, Man.
The people’s choice went to a local man, Dan Sita from Sechelt and his 1934 Ford sedan with Boler trailer.
