I don’t mean to depress you, but the days are already getting shorter and fall is nearing. So if you haven’t made it out yet to all the Barrie Thunder Classics Cruise Nights, is that they happen every night.
What a great day for a Cruise! We expect another great turnout for tonight's Cruise Night at Heritage Park in #Barrie. Come down and join us, check out the cars and stay for Finding Nemo during Lawn Chair Luminata across the street at Meridian Place. Fun for the whole family. pic.twitter.com/nTEWbMjAtC
— Thunder Classics (@ThunderClassics) August 7, 2019
Classics by the Beach
Barrie Thunder Classics Cruise Nights is run by the Barrie Thunder Classics Car Club. The cruise nights take place in Heritage Park at the waterfront every Wednesday from 6 p.m. until dusk. The series of cruise nights began this year May 22 and will end Sept. 11. What could be better than a beautiful evening by the water while enjoying a burger and beer and seeing all the gorgeous cars?
Have a Classic? Register for Any Night
If you have a classic car that you love to show off, registration at this event is free. The cruise nights’ event website says, “We invite owners of classics, muscle, sports cars, rats, rods and other unique rides to come down and enjoy great music, food and conversation. Registration is free and you may even win an award from one of our great sponsors.”
If you’re attending from out of town, the event website says that some hotels are offering a discount for visitors to a cruise night. So make sure you ask.
Supporting Charity
Starting in 2017, the car club began selecting one main charity it would sponsor throughout the season’s event. This year, it’s Hospice Simcoe.
What to Expect
We’re talking cruise nights in Barrie, so expect a relaxed evening where you can enjoy the food, walk among the vintage vehicles on show, and chat with other car enthusiasts. The car club posts weather updates on their website, Twitter (@ClassicThunder) and Facebook (Barrie-Thunder-Classics-Car-Club-1471109459768793/) and will announce as soon as they can if the event will be canceled.
Community Support Built Right In
What’s a local event without community support? Not only do local businesses sponsor a night, the car club supports the community. For example, from May 22 to July 23, participants could buy a $5 ticket for the “Ultimate Grill BBQ” raffle. Proceeds this year went to Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka, a cancer support centre. The car club also donated a car to drive the grand marshal in the Barrie Pride Parade in June.
Get a Move On!
You’ve only got one month before the Labour Day long weekend is here, but I don’t want to end this article on a downer. Wherever you are, take advantage of the warm weather to get out and see some sizzling hot cars, relish the food, rock to the music, and enjoy the company. And support a few local charities and businesses.
Happy cruisin’!