The Peach City Beach Cruise might not be the biggest classic car show in British Columbia - that distinction still lies with the Langley GoodTimes Cruise-In show - but it’s arguably the best, says event organizer Wayne Wood.
“We like to promote ourselves as the best three-day classic car show in the province,” said Wood, who is going into his fifth year as the president of the 14-member volunteer organizing committee. “There are a lot of classic cars shows around, but we’re the only one that offers three days of fun, amazing cars and outstanding entertainment.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were less than 25 spots remaining for this year’s 18th annual event, which kicks with registration early next Friday (June 22) morning, said Wood.
That will bring the total numbers of classic cars, trucks and motorized vehicles to 825, a significant increase on last year’s record 762 vehicles, said Wood.
“We’ve managed to open up a couple more spots from last year and that allows us to add another 60 or 70 vehicles for this year’s show,” he said.
The vast majority who register for the Peach City Beach Cruise arrive early as they want to take in all of the fun events that are part and parcel of Peach City Beach Cruise, he said.
“Once they get registered and get their spot, most take part in our wine tours, our winding road cruises and ladies walk and shopping tours and everything else we have to offer,” he said. "Like I said, we're much more than a classic car show, but more of a weekend event."
One of the highlights every year is the annual Peach City Beach Cruise parade that has attracted 300 to 400 classic vehicles for a parade starting at Skaha Lake Park and making its way down the entire length of Main Street heading towards the Lakeside Resort, said Wood.
The parade attracts thousands of spectators and classic car lovers and has always been a major part of the event, he said.
“We call it a bit of a convoy as we don’t block off any streets or anything until the parade reaches Eckhardt Avenue and then all of Main Street is shut down right up to the Lakeside Resort so everyone can get a great look up close at all of the amazing vehicles,” he said.
This year’s parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. from Skaha Lake Park.
While the classic cars and trucks will always be the major attraction, there’s another sensational lineup of musical performers that will take the stage over the entire weekend, starting Friday morning at the Gyro Park band shell.
This year’s lineup includes a performance by Dan Hare’s Centrefield, a tribute to the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival and that band’s iconic leader John Fogerty. They will perform Friday evening only.
Other performers include the March Hare Band (tribute to greatest hits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s), Night Moves (tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band), Jeff Bodnar’s Essence of Elvis Presley tribute, Cassie Jean’s tribute to the Legendary Ladies of Music, Rolland Allen, Kyle Anderson, Paul James and the Boundless Belly Dance troupe.
There will be vendors selling souvenirs, merchandise and great food in Gyro Park Friday and Saturday.
The Peach City Beach Cruise is now so popular that is attracting car owners and fans from across half of Canada and large sections of the United States, said Wood.
“We’ve got cars registered from owners as far east as Manitoba and all kinds from Saskatchewan and Manitoba and obviously all over B.C.,” he said. “From the United States, we have people coming in from Washington State, Texas, Colorado, Idaho and California. We also have some coming in from Mexico.
“It’s simply incredible how big the event has come and it seems to be getting bigger and more popular with each passing year.”
The first Peach City Beach Cruise attracted less than 200 classic cars 17 years ago and a small crowd of car lovers.
To see the event grow to the point where it’s one of Penticton’s largest tourist events is quite rewarding, he said.
“It’s pretty much become one of those shows for classic car owners and lovers that you simply can’t miss,” he said. “You don’t have to go every year, but the word is out that we have one of the best shows around and it shouldn’t be missed.”
Wood said the volunteer board that organizes the event deserves a great deal of credit because they work “incredibly hard to put this all together … we wouldn’t have such a successful event if it wasn’t for all of their hard work.”
The funds raised from entry fees - which remain modest at only $40 per vehicle - as well as sale of merchandise and beer sales are still adequate to pay all the bills, said Wood.
“Our goal is not to lose money and any small profit we might make is turned over to charity,” he said.
Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the B.C. Children’s Hospital and several other Penticton-based organizations, he said.
For more information, go online and visit www.peachcitybeachcruise.com.
