Saskatoon classic vehicle parade visits local care homes

The Rock 102 Show & Shine Weekend is one of the most popular events on the summer calendar in Saskatoon, but not everyone can make the trip downtown and join the expected crowd of more than 30,000.

Residents living in care homes are in luck, as the show is going on the road Saturday with a parade of dozens of vehicles set to visit five different care facilities in the city.

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“The advantage of that is that the senior homes can set up in the shade and on their balconies and have the cars come to them. They get to hear the sound as well as see all the different classics,” said organizer Brian Kendall.

While the parade isn’t officially part of Show & Shine, Kendall said staging the event when several car clubs are already in the city makes sense.

Kendall, an entertainer, said he was inspired to stage the “Classic Cruise” after performing at Oliver Lodge, which has a parking lot where a car show can be staged. That isn’t the case at its neighbouring Oliver Place.

He said the idea, which has already been tried by motorcycle groups in the city, quickly gained steam. Kendall said the motorcycle-based drive-by shows were started during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they typically just involved bikes sitting still.

He said the event on Saturday will add an extra sensation.

“One thing I noticed when I did the motorcycle (events) was the sound of the vehicles is absent from car shows,” Kendall said.

“Extra memories come when they hear the vehicles.”

He said he anticipates all residents of the five care homes involved will take something away from the parade, no matter how they may have experienced these types of vehicles previously.

“It’s not just the fellas that rode in these cars. All the grannies did as well. So it’s kind of overwhelming to see the joy that you can bring them,” Kendall explained.

Kendall said he believes the parade will benefit not just the viewers but also the car owners, who will get to demonstrate what their vehicles were meant to do — drive.

“Saturday, there’s a lot of people looking for something to do. They got their rides all shined up,” Kendall said.

“The classic vehicle owners get to drive a little bit, you know, with a purpose. So it should be a win-win for everybody.”

The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at the Co-op on 33rd Street, and will proceed to Oliver Place, Bethany Manor, Sherbrooke Community Centre, Saint Volodymyr and Cozy Nest. Everyone is invited to join in along the parade route.

— Rock 102 is a sister station to 650 CKOM.