Many people hold memories in photographs or heirloom jewellery.
For the Strathmore Fun Runners, those memories live on in their classic cars.
Fueled by passion for craftmanship and vintage design, the Fun Runners have been showcasing their cars for decades. This year marks the club's 30th annual Show and Shine.
Between 200 to 300 vintage vehicles will be on display at Kinsmen Park on Friday (July 18) and Saturday (July 19).
Friday evening will feature a car parade up Thomas Drive and back. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy food trucks and prizes.
"There's just a love for that [classic car] era that is passed on through the car," said Todd Blakney, who has been a member of the club since it began 30 years ago. "My youngest son is 22. He loves driving a '57 Pontiac that has a modern motor in it but the classic look, and he takes it golfing every chance he gets."
Blakney's own keepsake is a 1972 GTO, which he bought when he was 16. He's been making memories with it for 36 years.
"All four [of my] kids have grown up in the back seat of that car," he said. "I've pulled camping trailers. We've probably gone to the car shows in the States and all over Alberta."
This season, the club is remembering those who have passed, including Brantford Wheeler (2011), Joel Blakney (2021), and Lyle Vass (2025). Their cars will be displayed in tribute at the event.
To carry the tradition forward, many of these classic cars have been upgraded to stay roadworthy and reliable.
"As long as there's gasoline to burn, I think this industry will stay vibrant for a while," Blakney said. "It's reliving your childhood."
Blakney recalled a time when car lovers gathered at A&Ws, finding entertainment in street racing and late-night cruising.
"Those were hangouts for people in the '50s and '60s, and it was a big thing," he said. "I remember driving in Calgary years ago. We'd meet downtown, and we didn't even have a car club then. Tons of people would show up with their cars, and you would race from stop light to stop light."
These memories are what Blakney believes make the classic cars so sentimental, and what inspires people to keep passing them on.
"There will always be that connection. It was sentimental to them."
Now, as generations and technology shift, the culture around classic cars is also evolving. Some enthusiasts are restoring older vehicles by converting them to electric.
Still, Blakney believes the culture hangs in the balance.
"In 60 years, could every single old car that was gasoline-powered go electric? There's no doubt that could happen," he said. "Would that take away from the classic part of it? Absolutely."
Blakney also expressed concern about younger generations' interest in the sport, noting the culture is dominated by older enthusiasts.
"We'd like to see the younger generation take it over, and they need to run the show and keep the interest," Blakney said. "How many car clubs have come and gone over the years? Too many to count, and the reason being is the younger crew wasn't there to take it over and keep it alive."
Blakney and the Strathmore Fun Runners will keep running the engines, for the love of the cars and the people they remember.