Sherbrooke Show and Shine Attracts California Cars

Visitors to the Sherbrooke Village Museum can look forward to seeing 15 Model "T" cars from California at the 2006 edition of the annual Sherbrooke Show and Shine.

Organizers expect about 250 classic and antique cars at this year's event, to be held from Friday, Sept. 8, to Sunday, Sept. 10.

The annual car show has earned a reputation as one of the best mid-sized shows in Atlantic Canada. It has won two Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia awards and gained a loyal following among exhibitors from across the region, and beyond.

"This is not the first time we have attracted interest from far away," said George Brothers, manager of program development at Sherbrooke Village. "Back in 2000 we had an exhibitor from Seattle, Wash., in a 1938 Ford hot rod, who included the Show and Shine in his cross-continent tour.

"One of these California cars will definitely be a shoo-in for the longest distance travelled award."

The antique California vehicles will be touring Nova Scotia in late August and early September and will be on display at the Show and Shine on Sunday.

The event is produced by Historic Sherbrooke Village in partnership with the Sherbrooke Show and Shine Committee, a sub-committee of the St. Mary's Tourism Association. All profits support minor hockey in the District of St. Mary's.

New at this year's event is an early bird registration and a courthouse concert with Big Blue Eastern Swing band, both taking place on Friday, Sept. 8. An early bird grand prize will also be awarded to an exhibitor on Saturday.

The event will continue to feature grand prizes, prizes in 16 automotive categories, and numerous door prizes for participants. Other favourites include a classic rock and roll dance with a live band, a silent auction, and a Saturday night cruise and poker rally to nearby Port Bickerton.