For the fifth year in a row, the Run to Besant Show & Shine will be parking down in Besant Campground on July 7, just 40 kilometers northwest of Moose Jaw.
The show and shine is one of many in the area, but this one has a particular twist in that it features entries of cars as well as motorcycles.
Dale Legare, one of the organizers, says they see at least a few bikes join each year, despite the show’s location requiring them to park on soft grass rather than concrete, which can be a challenge for motorcycles.
“Pretty well everybody who has been out there before, they know that they'll be parking on the lawns, in the park itself,” said Legare. “We've had some great turnouts in the last three to four years, weather permitting, of course.”
Usually, organizers see over 100 participants travel out to the campground to show off their wheels. Some come from as far as 220 km away, as well as from closer locations like Swift Current, Regina, and Assiniboia, to name a few.
The lineup includes vehicles of all ages, from hot rods to restored antiques, and is sure to showcase a make and model that turns your head.
“There are some older cars that are just restored, like Model A's and Model T's,” said Legare. “There's a lot of hot rod cars that come in, where people have fixed up old vehicles with new engines sort of thing.”
There is no formal limit on how many cars can join the show; Legare estimates the area has room for up to 200 entries.
There is a $20 entry fee to park in the show, but the cause is a good one: all of the proceeds are donated to Hunger in Moose Jaw. Organizers felt this was a charity that they could support, especially considering all of the immediate good Hunger in Moose Jaw does in the community.
Show participants are asked to arrive between 10:30 a.m. and noon, to register their wheels and park in the show and shine lineup. Spectators are set to arrive at noon, and are welcome to wander the show until 4pm.
The two awards — Best of Show and the People’s Choice — will be handed out sometime near the end of the show.
Legare hopes to see many faces stop by the show, as between the impressive display of the car community and the amenities at the campground, it will be an afternoon that the whole family can enjoy.
“[It’s fun to] have a little bit of nostalgia while looking back to some of the old cars,” said Legare. “We really get a kick out of people who say, ‘you know I owned that back in the day, I wish I would've just kept it.’”
There’s no admission to view the show and shine, and if the weather is poor, the show will likely be cancelled.
