If you’re cruising for classic cars tomorrow then you’d best head downtown.
The 22nd annual Autorama Show and Shine has made a major move from its former digs to the Perron District, right on the main drag. Ron Trettler, a member of the St. Albert Cruisers, the organization behind the popular event, said that things should roll right along even though this is the first time that it has ever moved from its longstanding location at St. Albert Centre.
“We outgrew it,” he admitted. “It was a good fit downtown.”
Co-organizer and Cruiser Blair Art says that they aren’t looking back.
“It’s a great venue: the parking lot and the trees and so forth! The businesses along Perron have been just super in terms of accommodating us and letting us use their parking spaces behind their buildings. It’s been great, the co-operation from the businesses. We’ve had great co-operation from the city.”
The change isn’t going to affect the size. They’re still expecting to see the same number of vintage and classic cars and trucks, hot rods, muscle cars and motorcycles.
In addition to all that, there will still also be the usual sights and sounds, including a scavenger hunt and hula-hoop contest, something that Trettler says “brings back some great memories for us.”
Crackmasters and Meguiars will have demo tents and there will be displays from Competition Insurance and Vintage Pages, the Beaumont-based automobile collectible vendor.
Some downtown businesses will be open as well and there will be food trucks on site. Amber Lane has donated some rings and Riverside has donated a gazebo that will be raffled off. There will also be a 50/50 draw.
There will be signs along the trail to direct road traffic to the new location. The Cruisers provided a map that shows all of the parking that is available downtown, plus Cranky’s Bike Shop will have a free bike stand for all of the pedaling auto enthusiasts.
Trettler loves Autorama because it brings people together.
“I look forward to the cars and the people. It’s a social event.”
His ride is a 1979 Lincoln Continental town car, a vehicle that he says is more of a boat.
“You don’t park it. You sort of dock it!” he joked. “It’s a neat ride. It sleeps two in the front seat, two in the back seat, and four in the trunk. Great for drive-ins! You can’t duplicate it. It is a smooth ride.”
The event is also a fundraiser for St. Albert Stop Abuse in Families. Organizers are hoping to match or beat last year’s donation of approximately $4,000. That amount, Trettler continued, was enough to cover the costs of “about 300 hours of counseling.”
“It’s a win-win situation. It’s giving back to the community. It’s as much giving back to the community and making a difference. Our team helps to make a difference to life in St. Albert.”
Preview
Autorama Show and Shine<br />10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<br />Sunday, May 25<br />$10/vehicle<br />Perron District downtown<br />Call 780-458-0445 or visit ‘St. Albert Cruisers’ on Facebook for more information.
