The Commandos Motorcycle Club’s Portage la Prairie chapter hosted its annual Show N’ Shine on May 10th at the McMunn & Yates Building Supplies store. Sunshine, a strong local turnout, and the steady rumble of motorcycles set the tone for a lively afternoon, raising thousands of dollars for veterans’ organizations locally and nationally.
Brent Cranston, vice president of the Commandos Motorcycle Club chapter in Portage, says the group’s mission is to support fellow veterans across Canada.
“We're a veteran motorcycle club. We're a national club, so we're across Canada, coast to coast. Our motto is ‘veterans helping veterans’. We try to help local veterans in the community or the surrounding areas if they need help. Each club across Canada raises money for local veterans’ associations throughout Canada,” Cranston explains.
Now in its third year, the event serves as a bike show and a fundraiser. Proceeds from ticket sales, which totalled $3,000, will be evenly split between Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65 and the local Army Navy & Air Force Veterans unit. The Show N’ Shine also featured a separate fundraiser to support a national charity.
“We did a second fundraiser for our national charity that we support, Kilo-9, and they train service dogs and companion dogs for veterans. So, we raised $733 for that through the BBQ."
Despite a slight drop in bike attendance, the good weather helped to draw a solid crowd. Linda Truscott of McMunn & Yates, event sponsors, says this marked the first time in the event’s history that the weather cooperated.
“We were lucky because the last two years it was so cold and windy, but this year we had the sunshine, and it turned out to be a really nice day for it,” Truscott notes.
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McMunn and Yates contributed more than just prizes this year. They also hosted a well-received yard sale that added to the lively atmosphere.
“When people came to see the bikes, they also wandered into the store to our yard sale, which helped to clear out some of our old stock that we've had for the last 18 to 24 months, which was great, and we might try it again. That's a decision that hasn't been made yet, but it could turn into an annual thing,” Truscott says.
Prairie Abattoir, another loyal sponsor, donated the food and supplies for the BBQ. Cranston adds that the Legion and Army/Navy branches played an active role throughout the day by helping with ticket sales and ensuring everything ran smoothly.
The event wrapped up with the presentation of several fun awards, recognizing standout bikes in different categories.
“We give out awards every year at the bike show: loudest bike, spectators’ choice, and just the overall best in show. That part is always a lot of fun," Cranston explains.
With another successful year behind them, the club is already looking ahead to their Show N’ Shine event.
“We’re hoping to keep it going as long as it’s successful! It’s a good time with lots of nice bikes and great people.”