If you’re lucky enough to drive past St. Albert Centre tomorrow then you’ll probably think that you’ve driven into the past and stumbled upon a bunch of old friends hanging out and talking about their cars.
It’s the annual Autorama event put on by the St. Albert Cruisers, a group dedicated to their automobiles. For these people, cruising is more than just showing off your ride: it’s a way of life that gets you out and connected to your friends and the community at large.
That’s why the club of auto enthusiasts also dedicates all proceeds from the event to the St. Albert Food Bank. It’s a big deal for them and executive member Bob Fisher explained that it’s all about helping others to feel as good as the Cruisers do when they’re behind their wheels. He’s the group’s point person for their new project truck, a work in progress that is going to be a major vehicle for their future endeavours.
“It will be a working truck that will be used in the community to show up at different events and help out where possible. The big thing is Autorama and the opportunity to help out the community through seeing the show and shine and seeing some really nice cars.”
The show and shine event is really like a big car fair of more than 150 classic and vintage cars, trucks and hot rods, plus motorcycles and muscle cars. It’s enough to get your motor running for sure but Fisher says as much as you will get good vibes from the show, the objective is still bringing in food for people who need help from the food bank.
The group hopes to beat last year’s totals by bringing in more than $500 and 164 kg (360 lbs.) of food. As a way of boosting the poundage, you can guess the weight (in pounds) of Cruiser member Gary Poff’s gorgeous mild custom modified black 1955 Lincoln Capri. If you like games of chance but you’re more into mechanical endurance tests, you can also get into the contest of seeing how long an engine can last without any oil before it goes into complete meltdown and seizes.
“We’re looking to make it fun for the family from the viewing of vehicles [and beyond]. We’re hoping for a large turnout of the enthusiasts and the general public.”
The Cruisers are also bringing in a scavenger hunt this year. There will also be car-polishing demonstrations.
18th Annual St. Albert Cruisers Autorama
Tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.<br />St. Albert Centre parking lot<br />Please bring monetary or non-perishable food donations for the St. Albert Food Bank<br />For more information call Ed Ament at 780-487-2510 or visit www.stalbertcruisers.org
