Moose Jaw is gearing up for its 5th Annual Little Chicago Show & Shine on Saturday, September 12. That’s when the downtown turns into a classic car show.
Co-Chair Alex Carleton says “the annual event attracts car enthusiasts from across the Prairie Provinces. Vintage and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles from Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, along with some sporty new cars will line Main Street from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon. It’s a family day. Eight solo artists will be performing across the day and there will be face painting for kids”.
Moose Jaw’s Don Matwe brings a true perspective to the show. The Show & Shine is not just an event, but it’s a story. “People are nostalgic when it comes to seeing a piece of history. It brings back memories of driving with the family, going for groceries and out for ice cream. Many cars are just bought and enjoyed, while others have a family history connected to them. These cars have a ‘soul’ and want to be driven. The more you drive them the better they are”.
Classic vehicles are meant to be shared. Matwe says, “There’s nothing worse than having expensive trophies in your garage and not enjoying them and sharing them. There’s a feeling that comes when you drive these cars, listen to old music and remember growing up in that era of time.”
Matwe has two cars. A ’68 GTO and a 1970 Chevrolet Malibu Chevelle. They’ll both be in the show.
The Malibu was new when his grandfather bought it. The car was sold, but 18 years later the buyer in Northern Saskatchewan who had never driven it reached out to Matwe to see if he was interested in buying it. That’s one of the cars he has today, along with the memories that come with it.
Matwe says one of the great things about car shows like the Little Chicago Show & Shine is the camaraderie shown among the car owners. Everyone appreciates everyone else’s car. New friends are made. No one has a bad time. In Matwe’s words, “I like your car; you like mine. People are committed to giving these old cars new life.”
Registration is $25 per vehicle and closes one week prior to the show. Entries are limited to around 500 vehicles. With five weeks to go until showtime, Carleton indicated 250 registrations had been received for this year’s Show & Shine.
Show participants will be able to participate in several awards that will be given away. Judging will be unique. Several car enthusiast judges will be charged to find a car they would like to take home and award a prize to that exhibitor. Last year, Harold Kuipers from Souris, Manitoba was the big winner. His car will be featured on T-shirts that will be sold at this year’s event.
In last year’s event, Show & Shine had 520 participants lining the streets downtown. The first 300 registrations this year will receive a welcome package that includes a dash plaque.
Displays for this year’s show will be parked along Main Street from Athabasca to Manitoba Street, with additional vehicle displays stretching one block east and west on High Street.
The Little Chicago Show & Shine is sponsored by the Downtown Moose Jaw Association and is one of the annual events sponsored to bring economic activity to the downtown core.
Alex Carleton, who co-chairs the event with Leslie Campbell, says it takes a lot of effort and people to make the annual Show & Shine happen. The entire Downtown Moose Jaw Association, business people, their families and friends work to make sure the show is a success. One of the big challenges is helping people park their vehicles when they come to participate in the day’s activities. Volunteers help to make the day run smoothly.
While there will not be any food trucks lining the streets, visitors will be able to taste the various offerings from local restaurants.
There is no cost for individuals to come out and enjoy the annual Show & Shine; the cost is covered by business sponsors and registration fees. Funds beyond expenses will be used for beautification projects downtown.
People wanting to put their vehicle in the Little Chicago Shown and Shine can register by going to the website: downtownmoosejaw.ca or email: dmja2021@gmail.com.
By Alex Allan
For Moose Jaw Express
