600 classic vehicles 'pack the park' at South River event

Perfect weather and 600 classic vehicles was a perfect formula for Saturday's Classics in Tom Thomson Park, South River, Car Show.

All proceeds were donated to the Muskoka, Parry Sound Mental Health Association.

Norman Goring of  Gravenhurst was one of the participants displaying his '69 Dodge Dart.

"We bought it in 2001 down in Virginia and we brought her home, drove it for two years then we took it apart in two weeks and it took three weeks to put it back together," Goring enthusiastically told BayToday.

"We have travelled from the east coast to the west coast and as far south as Naples Florida. Just driving it is the biggest fun I have with it. I always wanted a Dodge Dart with 4-speed and a 340 motor in it."

Goring says he gets a lot of good feedback at shows like this.

"Yeah, I hear 'nice car' and 'hope you having fun with it' and 'I wish I had one.'"

The show, hosted by Shock Rodz Car Club, featured over $12,000 in awards, prizes, swag, and draws.

Organizers were "blown away by the support and participation."

Janice Whitelock is a key organizer of the show and says it takes takes a willingness from the tiny community of 1,100 and the support of fellow car clubs to put on such a large event.

"Plus a beautiful venue and the grace of a beautiful day and great people," a busy Whitelock told BayToday in between the numerous details she had to attend to. She said the entrants had to be closed off at 600.

She boasts that the enthusiasm and willingness of car people make the show what it is.

"You can see it's everywhere. Car people are amazing people. We call it our 'car communit'y so it doesn't matter if you're from our club or a different club, we are one community and we all kind of support each other and promote each other. Car people, they're always doing good things."

The area is called Tom Thomson Park because the talented artist did four paintings of the area while camping in the park in the fall of 1915.