The parking lot at St. Albert Centre is going to look like a scene out of the 1960s tomorrow when the St. Albert Cruisers roll in for the day.
The local club of almost three-dozen classic car enthusiasts is putting on its annual Autorama show. Now in its 18th year, the exhibit on wheels gets an extra boost from other hot rodders from as far away as Winnipeg.
Autorama also helps support a different charity or community organization each year. This time around donations will be going to the St. Albert Food Bank.
Barry Bates is the founder of the Cruisers and a guy who takes a lot of pride in his 1967 Chevrolet Impala convertible. He calls it the Queen Mary. The large-bodied automobile is what used to be referred to as ‘a boat,’ but after some tweaks (including a new engine), it gets pretty decent mileage.
He said these heavy cars are normally gas-guzzlers but he can make it all the way to a different show in British Columbia on a single tank, a feat that impresses a lot of his friends.
The price of fuel, along with the upgrades and constant tinkering, makes it an expensive hobby, he says, but there are more benefits than just having a sweet ride with the top down. It’s a lifestyle that brings people together.
Apart from getting a lot of thumbs up from strangers on the street, the club’s members also drive in the Rainmaker Rodeo parade, the sight of which gives a lot of pleasure. This is especially true for the tenants of a seniors’ home along the parade route.
“Not one of them wants to stay inside if they know those cars are coming by,” Bates said. The fondness is so great, he added, the group also makes special visits to such residences throughout the rest of the year.
According to him, being a part of the community is important to many of these car clubs.
“Most clubs have a particular charity.”
The Cruisers like to rotate their beneficiary. He said they all could use the help. It’s a little different for their weeklong Rock’n August though. The proceeds from that event always go to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation.
The St. Albert Food Bank recently reported that the downturn in the economy has been doubly hurtful to its clients. Usage has gone way up while donations have declined.
For more information about the club, visit www.stalbertcruisers.org.
