Show and Shine gets new life with new location, committee; Antique car show had been at risk

SHERBROOKE – With a new name, location and organizing committee, a popular late summer attraction for car buffs from near and far will continue here.

The Sherbrooke Antique and Classic Car Show – formally the Sherbrooke Show and Shine – will take place on the property of the District of St. Mary’s Lions Club, at 7996 Hwy 7, on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That evening, there will be a dance at the hall.

When Lynn Hayne, who organized the show from 2007 to 2023, decided to step down and turn over the reins to someone else, the event was at risk of folding.

Hayne said she made the decision because she had retired from a full-time job at Sherbrooke Village and decided she’d like to go back as a seasonal employee.

“There was so much work involved in hosting the event during the summer months that the only way I could go back [to the Village] was to pass the torch,” she explained.

For a while, it seemed that Hayne might be unable to find someone to take over.

Realizing that the community might lose the event, Brenda Kaiser said she and her husband, Tom, long-time owners of the Sherbrooke Village Inn, thought that they could do something on a smaller scale.

“I approached the Lions Club with the idea of doing a small cruise night type of thing as we get a lot of people at the motel with their cars,” she told The Journal in an interview. “We could have a dance or something at the hall, and our restaurant would be open, with a possible turkey dinner special.”

Kaiser added that the Lions were “very keen” about the proposal.

The couple, along with Jimmy Porter – owner and operator of River’s Edge Campground in Sherbrooke – were invited to a meeting of the service club. Like the Kaisers and the Lions, he did not want to lose the annual event. He even considered taking on the challenge alone, if necessary.

However, after meeting with her, and with much consideration, Hayne said, “Jimmy had the foresight to suggest a partnership that would allow a combined effort,” which, she added, made the idea more feasible.

After a bit of discussion during the meeting, the Lions, Kaisers and Porter decided to collaborate. and will be joined by the new owners of the motel, Darlene and Chris Bailey, who Kaiser says are also looking forward to being a part of this, once they take possession of the motel on August 1.

In an interview with The Journal, King Lion Debbie Findlay shared a bit about the revamped event.

“This is the first time for this committee and, with less than two months to go, they felt it was wise to get the feel of the event before going full scale,” she explained of the decision to make 2024 a one- rather than two-day show.

She added that they “felt the tradition had to be carried on, so a successful event such as this would not be allowed to disappear.”

Findlay said, “There are many who look forward to the show,” adding that the event supports many businesses in the area.

She added, “Every little bit helps.”

Started by the St. Mary’s Tourism Association, the Show and Shine then became a project of the St. Mary’s Hockey Association. When the Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society (HSVDS) took over, Hayne said that she served as a liaison between it and Sherbrooke Village.

With the blessing of George Brothers, then the Village’s executive director, Hayne began coordinating the event with help from several key members of the minor hockey group, who agreed to stay and assist with the transition.

Hayne said she has mixed feelings about the transition.

“I will miss the many friends and supporters I have worked with along the way, but [I] feel great about leaving the work to such a capable group.”

She added, of her role over the past 16 years, “All I did was coordinate the show. Many things must fall in place and many hands be involved for any event to be successful. You must secure your sponsors, location, food, marketing and – in no small part – volunteers. You can also hope for good weather, when all else is in place.”

The annual show, which had 240 registered vehicles and more than 2,500 spectators in 2023, provides a great boost for the Sherbrooke and area economy.

“There will be changes, but not without thought and planning,” said Hayne, adding, “I am just so tickled to see it continue and wish them another 30 years of success.”

For the 2024 show, only antique cars will be parked in the Lions’ club lot. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

Camping is available at the River's Edge Campground, while the Lions will be offering hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips and soft drinks in their canteen. Washroom facilities and seating will be available in the hall.

Sherbrooke Village Inn will have rooms available, and for those looking for a satisfying meal, they will be serving an all-day turkey dinner.

Parking will be available at the lots of the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, across the street from the Lions Club, Nova Scotia Soap Company and the Department of Transportation, which are located on either side of the hall; and at Bennett’s Loop.

There will be parking attendants and additional parking opportunities may be announced later.

-30-

Joanne Jordan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Guysborough Journal