Over 100 vehicles lined Main Street in Melfort on Friday for the 31st annual show and shine.
Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce (MTACC) executive director Cam Lee said the day exceeded expectations of the planning committee.
“What amazed me even more than the number of vehicles that were registered was the amount of foot traffic that came through,” Lee said. “People were really craving something to do and something to see.”
Normally, the show and shine event is held on the Father’s Day weekend in June but with public health restrictions still in place at that time, the show was postponed to August.
“August is an interesting time to plan a car show in rural Saskatchewan so we will see next year if we keep it as August or if we go back to our normal date,” Lee said.
Vehicles came from all over the region including Arborfield, Zenon Park, Nipawin, Tisdale, Naicam, Kinistino, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, as well as Melfort.
“Vehicle owners were very enthusiastic with some making the trek on a warm day with no air conditioning for long periods of time, so we truly appreciate them coming,” Lee said.
The touch-a-truck portion of the event in the Melfort Mall parking lot featured a variety of emergency vehicles and construction and farm equipment. Adults and kids alike were able to explore each vehicle and gain information on them and what the different features are in each one.
The Melfort Fire Department had three of their trucks on display at the event. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)
Children were able to climb inside different vehicles and equipment and learn about their different features. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)Lee said the entire community deserves credit for making the event happen. Volunteers were on hand to open barricades for vehicles, sit at the registration desk, direct traffic and more.
North East Outreach and Support Services ran a 50/50 raffle, the Melfort and District Trail Riders were selling tickets on their snowmobile raffle, Fountain Tire had a display, Melfort Communities in Bloom sold taco in a bag, and the food booths by the Miller Market and Food Gallery and Melfort Daycare Cooperative were set up in Memorial Garden.
“Normally we would have more food vendors and a beer gardens but we decided to take it down to the bare bones for this year and see what we can do next year,” Lee said.
This was the 31st show and shine event for the community of Melfort but the first one for Lee as the executive director of the MTACC that was formed over the past two years.
“Most of the people on the chamber board, as well as myself, have no prior experience doing this, so that made it more challenging,” Lee said. “Thankfully, we had people on the committee that have done this before that were essential in making it successful.”
He mentioned Lloyd Muntain, Chris Corbett and Gillian Hipkins as being vital in ensuring all the moving parts were covered.
“A huge thank you also to the sponsors of the awards and our title sponsor 105CJVR and 750 Beach Radio for making the whole day possible as well,” Lee said.
The 2020 edition of the Melfort show and shine was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Award category sponsors and winners at the show and shine are as follows:
Vintage (JBN Promotions) – Tyler Stewart: 1949 Model T Remake
50’s (Armstrong Trucking & Excavating) – John Sexsmith: 1955 Ford Thunderbird
60’s (Thomas Motors) – Herb Wright: 1965 Shelby Cobra
70’s (Nutters Everyday Naturals) – Ken Scaife: 1970 Dodge Charger
80’s (Aurora Financial Solutions) – Richard South: 1986 M998 Humvee
Modern (Fountain Tire) – Ashley Dufault: 2021 Ford Mustang GT 500
Best overall Ford (Melody Motors) – Alec Smith: 1931 Ford Model A
Best Overall GM (Cheyenne Motor Products) – Al McCrea: 1985 GMC K10
Best Overall Mopar (Riverside Chrysler) – Ken Scaife: 1970 Dodge Charger
Fan’s Choice and Overall (750 Beach Radio & 105 CJVR) – Richard South: 1986 M998 Humvee.
Ken Scaife won two awards with his 1970 Dodge Charger. (Facebook/Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce)–
angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser
