Is Nostalgia Nights a Car Show?

​As an observer and one of the volunteers of this event I am amazed to watch how it all comes together.

On Saturday July 8th 2017 on a picture perfect night, St Thomas found it's main street jammed with an estimated 1200 special interest vehicles.

On the newly refurbished front steps of St Thomas city hall an incredible live band could be found belting out songs from the 50's and 60's from speakers mounted on Moonlight Painters genie boom high above the street. The band, DJ tunes and announcements are orchestrated by the one and only conductor Ken Chaplin.

A few blocks west of city hall you can find the ragtime piano tunes of Dave Hoy bringing the streets alive. Behind Dave you found the St Thomas Art Gallery with kids activities , a balloon magician along with a face painter for the kids also.

Two blocks to the east of city hall at the L&PS replica Railway station St Thomas tourism office one could ride the train for a half hour ride. There were six trains that went out with approx 150 people per trip. While waiting for the train ride one could listen to the buskers at the station or browse through car art and/or info displays.

​When this event was started, there was only one requirement that had to continue from year to year. That everything was FREE. You could bring your family for a full night of entertainment and leave your wallet or purse at home. This is only possible due to the efforts of the St Thomas Downtown Development Board and the many businesses that jumped in to cover costs.

This year there was a special tribute for a fellow gearhead that is no longer with us. At approximately 7 o'clock we found many cars from the Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racing Association and the East London Timing Association along with John Chandlers incredible AA Fuel dragster fire up for a "Cackle of Respect".

That is when it makes you stop and reflect.

Are these shows about the cars or the people behind the cars and the people in the crowds?

We all know that these machines are expensive to operate, some more than others, however all those involved never blinked an eye when it came time to fire up for a fellow car enthusiast.

When it came time to park all these cars up stepped the St Thomas Optimist Club, but with this number of cars many other friends and car owners were called upon to assist as they have in the past. I know at times when they see me coming it is a "Here he comes again". But because of the character of the volunteers they do it again and again for only the smiles it puts on others faces.

Even with all the volunteers we found that an extra pair of hands or feet would suddenly be required, a request to the closest person, be it another friend or complete stranger I was never ignored or turned down.

​That is why I question if an event like this should be called a car show or maybe a show of people and their cars. Here in St Thomas we have a promotional logo" #stthomasproud", I wonder if we need to revise it to #stthomas"people"proud.

Even with all the volunteers we found that an extra pair of hands or feet would suddenly be required, a request to the closest person, be it another friend or complete stranger I was never ignored or turned down. 

​That is why I question if an event like this should be called a car show or maybe a show of people and their cars. Here in St Thomas we have a promotional logo" #stthomasproud", I wonder if we need to revise it to #stthomas"people"proud.

Author

Rob Burns is a St. Thomas native, volunteer, and small business owner. Rob has been heavily involved in the success of Nostalgia Nights since day one.