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Show and Shine, dance to help light up Esquimalt winter event

Free classic car show at Archie Browning Sports Centre to be followed by fundraising dance for annual Celebration of Lights
Esquimalt Car show
Esquimalt councillor Meagan Brame and Virtual Elvis

Winter break is likely the last thing on the minds of families right now, as they juggle the last-minute shopping runs for back-to-school supplies and sort out extracurricular activities.

But Esquimalt's Celebrations of Lights organizers are hoping an end-of-summer car show and dance will light the way to a successful December event this year.

"Not only are we bringing an extra event to Esquimalt, we also are fundraising for the annual event that we've always had," said Coun. Meagan Brame.

Fellow organizer Murray Boyce hopes all Capital Region classic car owners will roll out for one last summer event, at the Esquimalt curling rink on Saturday, Sept. 15 at noon.

"They want to see everybody that has an interest in the motor sports hobby, from vintage cars to hot rods, motor bikes, classics and wooden boats. Any motorized vehicle," said car enthusiast Bob Painton.

He plans to show several of his vintage rides at the event, including a 1950 Ford Woody. "I can't help myself," he said, standing in the garage of his childhood home on Tillicum Road, where many of the lovingly restored vehicles are kept. "It's a passion."

Brame said car owners and observers can attend the carshow for free, while the dance will cost $10. She's been amazed by the number of local classic car enthusiasts in the area since getting involved with the event.

"There's guys in Esquimalt who have had these old cars for 50 years, like the Ferris brothers and Kendal brothers," Painton said, adding he hopes to see them at the curling rink.

The dance will be hosted by Scott MacDonald, otherwise known as Virtual Elvis, and his wife Nathalie Karine, singing classics from the 1940s and beyond.

Organizers will also be taking unwrapped gift donations for CFAX Santa's Anonymous, giving each donor a chance to win Vancouver Canucks tickets.

For more information, visit celebrationoflights.ca.

dpalmer@vicnews.com