Fun Runners roll in to host 27th annual show and shine

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore’s annual Fun Runners Show and Shine is set to return July 15-16 with organizers expecting it to be bigger and better than ever.

The show will once again be taking place in Kinsmen Park and is aiming to raise as much as possible to give back to the community.

Fun Runners secretary Rick Grey said the 27th iteration of the show has many in the community excited to return now that COVID-19 restrictions have lifted.

“A lot of times, it’s the same cars over and over again, but because of COVID-19 and (because) nobody had had shows for a couple of years, a lot of people have had time to get their cars finished and out of the woodwork,” said Grey. “Anybody that’s got a car takes pride in it and that’s kind of what they do is, they want to show people what they’ve done. That’ll bring people out.”

Anything from lovingly preserved antiques to modern muscle cars, motorcycles and anything in between will be present at the show.

Grey added the Fun Runners show is no stranger to raising upwards of $1,000 to put back into the community and this year’s fundraising goal is to meet similar numbers. 

“In the past we’ve donated $1,000, $600, or $800 depending on car count and how the weather is and stuff like that,” said Grey. “Any of the money that we earn or raised during the year goes to a local charity. It has been the Christmas Hamper or the Wheatland Food Bank in the past. I don’t think we have a specific sponsor this year that was signed yet, but we’re working on that.”

Ultimately, Grey explained, the turnout for the show is going to largely depend on the weather. If it’s all sunshine and rainbows, attendees can expect between 100 to 200 cars brought out for display.

“It’s been wall-to-wall people at some years when the weather is really nice. We still get quite a few people coming by when the weather is not so nice, but it just all depends on the weather,” said Grey who estimates that every year roughly 10 per cent of the cars at the show are new, the rest are an established crowd who tend to be regulars.

Participation will be free on July 15 as 2nd Ave will be occupied with the cars from 6 to 8 p.m. For July 16, vehicles will be on display in Kinsmen Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an admission fee.