Thousands of people are expected to line streets and flood parking lots this weekend for one of the Sunshine Coast’s biggest summer events – the Coasters Car Club Sleepy Hollow Rod Run and Show ‘n’ Shine.
The car club, which has about 150 members, has been around since 1996. That’s about the same time that Tony Pike came on board. “Probably one of the founding members of the Coast Car Club,” said current president Ken Begg. Pike died this year, as did member Barry Proknow. To honour their memory, the club has designed T-shirts emblazoned with their classic cars – a 1970 Chevelle and ’55 Chevrolet.
They hope to memorialize other members next year. “We’re kind of a close club,” said Begg, adding that this was the first time the club has lost several members in one year, which is why they decided to find a way to pay tribute.
In addition to the T-shirts, raffle tickets will be sold to raise money for the Sechelt Hospital Foundation and Sunshine Coast Community Services Society. Since the club formed, approximately $34,000 has been raised for the hospital foundation.
The memorial T-shirts may be new, but the Sleepy Hollow Rod Run is planned to kick off the weekend this Friday as is tradition. Up to 5,000 people are expected to line the Sunshine Coast Highway from Sechelt to Halfmoon Bay to watch more than 400 hot rods and other collector cars make the cruise.
People lounge in couches and chairs in their driveways with a bottle of wine and sometimes wearing costumes, said Jac Cawsey, media liaison for the Coasters Car Club.
“We also call it the Festival of the Rolling Arts,” said Cawsey, “We have probably the best rod run you can go on. It’s very scenic and we’ve got all the people out cheering for the cars. A lot of rod runs you don’t see that.”
Cars will collect at Hackett Park in Sechelt starting at 1 p.m.
The area will be traffic controlled by RCMP starting at approximately 6:30 p.m., when the vehicles begin to make their way up the highway to the Halfmoon Bay Fire Hall on Redrooffs Road and back.
On Saturday, Cowrie Street will be closed to traffic but full of cars for the annual Show ‘n’ Shine. Hot rods, street rods and other collector cars are expected to come from across the Lower Mainland and Washington state. The odd electric car may also make an appearance. “We had electric cars go in our rod run, but if they are going to be here, they get a separate area,” said Cawsey. “It’s out of my range, I’m not an electric car kind of guy.”
Another moment to remember past drivers will be the traditional “30 seconds of thunder” at noon on Saturday, when car owners are invited to rev their engines as a tribute to car enthusiasts who have died.
Friday’s rod run and Saturday’s show and shine are free for spectators. Registration for car owners who will participate in either event will be open Friday and Saturday. As of Tuesday, registration was at 270, and Begg expects about 300 cars for the show on Saturday.
Sunday will also be carful, with drag races taking place at the Sechelt Airport, organized by the Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association. This year marks the association’s 20-year anniversary. Races starts at 9 a.m.
Those wanting more rods and shine can stick to the Pender Harbour Show ‘n’ Shine and Rod Run, also happening Sunday. The rod run departs from the Trail Bay Mall at 9:30 a.m. for Pender Harbour, while the car displays will start at noon at the Legion in Madeira Park.
