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Car show in Elkhorn delights visitors

It’s Sunday morning in Elkhorn, a hot, sunny day is in the forecast, and the organizing committee is getting things ready at the Manitoba Antique Auto Museum grounds.

It’s Sunday morning in Elkhorn, a hot, sunny day is in the forecast, and the organizing committee is getting things ready at the Manitoba Antique Auto Museum grounds.

The barbecue lunch team from the Restoration Club is setting up, tables and chairs are waiting under the roof of the new pole building, and the band is tuning up.

Today, the Auto Museum is trying something new – a vintage car show.

Car clubs from around the region have been invited and the response was warm, but expectations are modest. It is the first time, after all.

But then…

But then the cars start to cruise onto the lot, immaculate vintage vehicles streaming in from Virden, Brandon and Kenosee.

There’s a ’79 red Corvette. A ’51 Chevy half ton. Several lovingly-restored Mustangs and immaculate Model Ts.

Before they know it, the lunch team is making a run for more food as burgers and hot dogs are flying off the grill.

The band plays lively guitar and fiddle tunes for the diners. One senior lady can’t resist dancing on the grass to an Elvis classic. 

Sun on chrome

Sun glints off chrome as dozens of contented car lovers wander the grounds admiring the vehicles, marveling at the love, elbow grease and cash invested in each one.

Guests also take in the museum – the antique cars and farm equipment, restored Victorian home and school house all on the same lot. A few are curious about the staked out space in the yard where a small chapel will soon be moving in.

Then, when the afternoon sun starts to heat up and tummies are full, the guests get in their cars to return home.

Best kept secret

After things quiet down, museum curator Richard Hainer reflects on the day.

He says more than 60 cars came out from the Brandon and Kenosee car clubs. Their entry fee included admission to all the attractions, and many of them took advantage of the opportunity to view the museum’s own collection of vintage vehicles.

Hainer says, “The people who came in, some of them told me, ‘This is the best-kept secret in Manitoba.’”

He hopes events like the car show will serve to direct more attention to the museum and more visitors to southwestern Manitoba.

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