Sherbrooke Show and Shine a Success
More than 200 antique and vintage cars and 2000 people took part in the Sherbrooke Village Show and Shine Sept.8-10.
Show and Shine committee chair Sonny Alexander said, "While we don't have all the financial details as yet, we are positive the weekend gave the local economy a major boost. Lodging, restaurants and gas and convenience outlets all did a booming business."
The event benefitted local community groups, including the Sonora Community Centre, the Old Fashioned Christmas Committee, the Volunteer Fire Department and the St. Mary's Lions Club. Sherbrooke Village Restoration also enjoyed one of the best visitation weekends of the season.
The undisputed hit of the weekend was the 1902 Columbia Electric car owned and operated by Willard Saulnier of Meteghan, Digby Co. In addition to winning the Oldest Operating Vehicle in Atlantic Canada Search, the battery-powered horseless carriage also captured the People's Choice Award.
The Sherbrooke Village Costume Department outfitted Mr. Saulnier in period costume. Mr. Saulnier, whose Columbia's top speed is 30 kilometres per hour, also raced against the penny-farthing bicycle driven by Sherbrooke Village collections manager Robert Jordan-Robichaud. Mr. Robichaud eked out a narrow victory.
Another special car and fan favourite was a 1934 Ford hot-rod, driven by Bob Spaulding of Seattle, Wash., which easily won the award for the Farthest Distance Travelled.
"Mr Spaulding learned of our show through the Department of Tourism and Culture, and after looking at our website, decided to extend his travels from the Eastern U.S. Seaboard to Atlantic Canada," said George Brothers, planning and program co-ordinator for Sherbrooke Village. "He told us that the trip through the Maritimes to Sherbrooke was the highlight of his entire trans- continental trip, and that he would be returning to Nova Scotia, and the Show and Shine in the future."
Wonderful cars came from all over the Maritimes to take part. Prizes were presented in 15 categories, with winners coming from all over Nova Scotia. Charles Cox of Truro won the Millennium Engine Giveaway and took home a 350 cubic-inch Chevy small-block engine.
Committee members are already hard at work planning for next year's event.
"We realize that we have our work cut out for us if we hope to top the Millennium Edition of the Sherbrooke Show and Shine," said Mr. Alexander.