The classic cars have started to converge into Brandon as vintage vehicle enthusiasts prepare for the Western Canadian Nationals Car Show (WCN) taking place at the Keystone Centre this weekend, August 1-3. But the fun has already started as cars and trucks rolled into the Wheat City this past weekend. And as more classics join in, groups will be touring throughout the Westman Region starting today.
Committee Chair and President of the local Road Rebels, Dave Burba says the show 'n shine isn’t just about the weekend —it’s a full week of fun as they'll be going on scenic cruises, local tours to a wide variety of museums, and get in on some favorite dine-in hot spots.
"Not everybody can come early in the week to get in on the tours, but as we saw over the last couple of years, they're kind of getting into Brandon a little earlier," shares Burba. "They used to come in on Friday and just show up for the meet n' greet or come Saturday morning. But because of the Thursday night Cruise Night they're coming in on Wednesday already."
Thursday night's Cruise Night will be spectacular this week down Rosser and Princess as hundreds of cars will be on full display and folks will get to chat with car owners and restoration professionals.
"And then we've had people coming in early in the week, on Monday and Tuesday just to take part in all the cruises, because that's what's the most exciting part of this whole event was cruises. They just like to drive, like to see the different areas, talk to different people, see different things in the country," he adds. "Yeah, it's been just growing and growing!"
Burba says they're planning on cruising out in every direction from Brandon, north to Dauphin, east to Treherne, south to Boissevain and west to the Virden area. And then making stops along the way to see different personal collections of restored vehicles, as well as significant car museums such as in Elkhorn and Treherne.
"We were at Treherne's Second Chance Car Museum in 2019 for the Grand Opening," shares Burba. "They did the Grand Opening when we were there so that was awesome for us, and we've been back every year after that! We support all the museums in the area and Second Chance is an awesome one and is growing all the time. Elkhorn is an awesome museum too," he adds. "So, yeah we want to promote those places."
Burba says they're car guys, but they're interested in seeing other museums too, that share the rich history of the Westman Region.
"Things of interest that we would like to see and bring people from other parts of Canada to see what we have here in Western Manitoba," he says. "So, we want to showcase that, and we just want them to go away with fond memories of good times and good stories to tell their friends back home. That's what we seem to be building. Everybody who's been here goes back home and tells everybody about it and they say, 'Aw! Should've been there, should've been there!' So, that's what we want to create."
"It's going to be an awesome show at the Keystone Centre and there are lots of things to come and see," shares Burba. "So, keep watch if we come through your town during the week. But also come to the Keystone Centre grounds to see this dynamic show!"
For more information see the posters below. But also, visit their Facebook page HERE for regular updates, and their website HERE for greater details of events and competitions.
(photo credit WCN Facebook page)