The Early Ford V8 Club of Victoria is preparing for another year of its Fords and Friends event.
Fords and Friends is a show-and-shine event for owners to show off their best wheels and gain community interest in the process.
This year the event will be taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 16 at the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre. In previous years, Fords and Friends events were held in Central Saanich, but due to space limitations, the club had to relocate.
“We’re kind of a victim of our own success,” said former president Chris Chown.
Going into its 42nd year, the event stays true to its vintage roots, Fords and Friends is only open to all pre-1985 makes and models. Show contestants also have a chance to win the “participants’ choice” award for the best car and truck entry. While Fords and Friends is a lighthearted community event, its organizers emphasize the importance of giving back.
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“We try to give back as much as we can and take such pride in it. It’s just such a good thing to do,” Chown said.
Current club president Mike Mortimer has also had a longstanding relationship with the club, as the previous vice-president of the 109 chapter for five years.
“Most of our money raised from many of these events all goes to charitable organizations. We’re definitely non-profit,” Mortimer said.
Each year, money made at the event gets donated to organizations like the Mustard Seed Food Bank, the Victoria Women’s Transition House, plus local high schools with automotive programs.
This year the event is free for the public. However, event chair Bruce Somers said in an interview that there will be an optional admission price of a donation to the food bank.
Somers also said there will be vendor booths from car-related businesses like KMS Tools and a truck set up to serve food.
Pre-registration is now open, and each entry is $20.
The registration form and fee information can be found on the Early Ford V8 Club’s website at earlyfordv8victoria.com/show-and-shine.