A night of rain threatened the outdoor grounds of the Kinsmen Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s biggest fundraiser, but the fields dried in time and more than 300 classic cars rolled into the 26th annual Show and Shine on Sunday.
Club president Kenny Slingerland expects the show, held with Parks Canada at Kinsmen Scout Hall, to gross about $20,000 before expenses. The money supports Cystic Fibrosis Canada and Kinsmen projects across town.
By the time Slingerland spoke with The Lake Report on Sunday afternoon, 330 vehicles had registered. Last year’s show brought in 384.
“I’d be glad if we got 350. That’d be spectacular, considering all the things that we’ve been holding our breath on,” he said.
The biggest of those things was the ground itself. A wet field under hundreds of tires would have carved ruts into the property the club shares with Parks Canada.
“We got the rain that held off last night, so the grounds are still dry, which is good. No ruts. That’s what Parks Canada likes to see,” said Slingerland.
The show is the club’s main fundraiser. Owners paid $10 to enter a vehicle and spectators paid $5, with children under 12 admitted free, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
About 25 Kinsmen members run the show, with help from their families.
“Everybody does their share, and their spouses, sons and daughters — everybody pitches in,” said Slingerland.
The Niagara British Car Club showed its vehicles in a dedicated section near the 50/50 draw, an arrangement the Kinsmen have kept for years.
Slingerland said proceeds will help fund the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, the Heritage Trail, Red Roof Retreat and the club’s annual Easter egg hunt, along with other local organizations.
“This is a big thing for us that we use to spread our money around to the rest of the community.”
