Annual car show in South River's Tom Thomson Park could see 600 participants

The chief organizer of the upcoming Classics in Tom Thomson Park Auto Show in South River is expecting about 600 people to register their cars and trucks for the July 27th event.

Janice Whitelock approached South River town council last year with the idea of holding a large car show for the first time at Tom Thomson Park.

She didn't know what the participation would be like and was pleasantly surprised when the event attracted more than 300 car and truck owners of all types.

Tom Thomson Park is very large, and Whitelock says it can accommodate 600 vehicles on the grounds.

However, she's warning people thinking of entering their vehicles to do it quickly because once registration hits that 600 figure, she's cutting off any additional entries.

Whitelock says the South River event had “great support from other car clubs in the region” in 2023 largely because she, her husband, Art, and their son, Grason, spend a lot of time going to the shows the other clubs host.

“We will put on average 2,000 kilometres a week travelling to other car events,” Whitelock said.

“So we support their shows and get to know the people there, and last year we passed out numerous leaflets about our upcoming show”.

Consequently the Whitelocks were not surprised when car and truck owners from Burk's Falls, Gravenhurst, Barrie and Parry Sound took part in the first South River auto show.

And they knew they had a keeper when residents from as far as Sudbury and London, Ontario also arrived with their cars and trucks.

Whitelock says there's a bond among car and truck enthusiasts and they all try to support one another.

The Whitelocks own their own business, and when the shop closes for the day they could be off to North Bay one night, Parry Sound the next evening and Barrie or Sudbury after that.

Asked what was the catalyst for creating the local car show, and Whitelock points to COVID.

“A disconnect had been created during COVID where people couldn't socialize,” she said.

“We felt people needed to get together again”.

For the public entry is free.

Whitelock says there's a registration fee for participants with all the money that's raised going to the Muskoka Parry Sound Mental Health Unit after expenses.

Last year's car show generated about $5,000 for the mental health unit.

Whitelock is encouraging people to register early.

That pre-registration is $15 per vehicle and each person who registers early is eligible to win a two night stay at Beaver Point Lodge next to Tom Thomson Park.

The prize is worth $1,000 and includes dinner, lunch and breakfast.

Visit form.jotform.com/241016270544245 to pre-register and the draw for the two night stay takes place July 18th.

Participants who don't pre-register pay $20 cash when they arrive on the day of the event.

Whitelock says this year the car show has double the number of trophies and classes.

“One award is for the farthest distance travelled to be part of the car show and that person gets a $200 gas card,” Whitelock said.

“Last year the person who drove the furthest to be here was from Kapuskasing”.

That's a distance of about 550 kilometres and is approximately a six hour drive.

Whitelock says there are 25 judging classifications.

Art Whitelock says an independent judge from New Brunswick did last year's judging, and he's returning in July to again judge the vehicles.

“He was blown away by the quality of the cars,” Art Whitelock said.

“He'll be doing all the judging except for the People's Choice Award which the public decides and the Bernie McKenney Memorial Award which we judge”.

Some of the other classifications include the Young Gun Award which is geared toward small boys and girls, Best in Show, Best Owner Built and Best Custom Built.

The auto show will also recognize the best Ford, Chevy and Mopar vehicles, vehicles from the classic and modern muscle age, and there is a best truck award.

The rods also have a place with awards going to the Best Rat Rod, the Best Hot Rod and the Best Street Rod.

An award has even been designed for the best engine.

Janice Whitelock says thanks to many business donations, there are numerous door prizes to be won.

With the event expected to attract thousands of people, the Whitelocks have secured the services of numerous food and beverage vendors.

Part of the grounds will also be devoted to automotive vendors.

However, there will not be any vendors selling crafts.

Live music will also be provided.

The July 27th event begins at 8 am and the awards ceremony gets underway at 3:30 pm.

Rocco Frangione, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The North Bay Nugget