N.B. car show grows into community gathering with support for food banks, charities

The Cruise to the Whale weekly car show in Riverview, New Brunswick brings car-lovers together to talk shop and connect.

What began as a conversation during winter has quickly turned into a summer tradition in Riverview, N.B.

The weekly waterfront car show, held Monday evenings at the Holy Whale Beer Hall, is drawing dozens of vehicles, hundreds of visitors and growing community support just two weeks into its inaugural season.

Organizers Jamie Comeau and Shawn Douthwright launched the event with a simple goal: create a local gathering for car enthusiasts closer to home.

“Essentially this is the result of too much time on our hands in the middle of winter,” joked Comeau.

The pair said they regularly attended other regional car shows but felt there was room for something in Riverview.

“We had an idea this winter on creating something a little more local, closer to our home,” said Comeau.

The event is held on the Riverview waterfront at the Holy Whale Beer Hall, a local brewery that partnered with organizers to host the show.

According to Comeau, community support has been one of the biggest surprises.

“Everything lined up and felt right,” he said. “The relationship I’ve got with the venue and the relationship Shawn has with people in the car scene made us think this could work.”

The response has exceeded expectations.

The first event attracted 52 vehicles. One week later, nearly 80 vehicles filled the lot.

“We had factored in about 55 to 60 cars maximum in this parking lot,” said Comeau. “If you would’ve asked me if we could fit 79 in here, I would’ve said it was impossible.”

Despite the larger-than-expected turnout, organizers say careful planning and support from neighbouring businesses helped make it work safely.

The Holy Whale property serves as the main event site, while nearby businesses have stepped up to provide additional space when needed.

Comeau said Wonder Auto offered its parking lot for overflow parking, while the Homestead Restaurant has also made space available on Monday evenings.

“It’s nice that we have community sponsors willing to jump in and offer support,” he said.

Local businesses have also contributed prizes and sponsorships to help the event grow.

“We’ve had wonderful support from local sponsors,” said Comeau. “It’s nice to see them helping these events succeed.”

Organizers believe the benefits extend beyond the car community.

Some participants arrive early to eat at local restaurants, while others stop for fuel, groceries or shopping before heading home.

“It brings people out of their homes and into the downtown core area and allows businesses to benefit from that response,” Comeau said.

Drawing attention

One of the vehicles drawing attention at Monday’s show belonged to Dennis Colpitts, who recently completed the restoration of his 1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula after it spent 35 years parked in his garage.

Colpitts documented the project every step of the way.

“I had a book made of every nut and bolt that came off it,” he said.

The restoration has done more than return a classic car to the road. Colpitts said it has opened the door to new friendships and opportunities to travel throughout the region.

“Going to places that you say you want to go, but you never do,” he said. “We’ve been to Bangor. We’ve done all three maritime provinces and even Quebec”

His Firebird earned one of the show’s weekly awards Monday night, but Colpitts said the real reward is the people he’s met along the way.

While rows of classic, muscle and custom cars may attract visitors, organizers say the event was never intended to be solely about automobiles.

One of the show’s community initiatives supports the Albert County Food Bank.

Participants who bring a food donation receive an additional entry into weekly prize draws, and spectators are encouraged to contribute as well.

The idea came from an unexpected source.

Douthwright said his daughter was completing a school volunteer project when she suggested finding a way for the event to help others.

“We were like, what else could we do?” said Douthwright. “She’s like, ‘Food bank. They could use the help.’”

For Comeau, supporting food banks was an easy decision.

“When it comes to food banks, it’s a support and a resource that you and I could need and not even know it,” he said.

“Tomorrow you can wake up and realize you’re out of money and out of food. These food banks are a critical piece of the equation for lower-income families or families that have fallen on hard times.”

Organizers say they intentionally opened the initiative to everyone attending the event.

“It’s not limited to just car owners,” said Comeau. “We want maximum support for the causes we’re supporting.”

In addition to food bank donations, proceeds from weekly 50/50 draws are being directed to Riverview Pro Kids, an organization that helps local youth participate in sports and recreational activities.

The event has also become a meeting place for people of all ages.

Comeau said one of the most encouraging trends has been the number of younger people becoming involved in the classic car hobby.

“We’re seeing a lot of youth involved with older cars, too,” he said. “It means they’re picking up that relief from the older generation that used to cherish these vehicles.”

The show welcomes virtually any vehicle.

Organizers stress that participants don’t need a rare classic or expensive restoration to take part.

“If you like your car, you love your car and you have pride in it, then it’s worthy of a car show,” said Douthwright.

The philosophy reflects the atmosphere organizers hope to create.

“We’re not trying to restrict people,” he said. “Nobody’s judging. Nobody’s criticizing somebody else’s ride.”

Motorcycles and newer vehicles are welcome, and first-time participants are encouraged to join.

“We want the overall automotive and motorcycle community to fit together here and have a community event that’s fun,” Douthwright said.

Hosting the event at a brewery has generated some discussion online, but organizers say they have been clear from the beginning about expectations.

The Holy Whale Beer Hall remains open during the events, offering visitors another reason to stop by the waterfront.

At the same time, organizers stress that drinking and driving will not be tolerated.

“A lot of people said, ‘You’re condoning drinking and driving,’” said Douthwright. “No, we do not.”

He said organizers make it clear that participants are expected to act responsibly.

Comeau adds “If we catch you drinking and driving or being foolish, I’ll turn you in myself,” he said.

“It’s about being respectful to the community that’s allowing you to have these shows and being respectful to the owner of the property.”

Looking ahead

The show is scheduled to run weekly through early September, with organizers currently planning for 14 weeks of events.

Although they expected modest attendance in the first year, the rapid growth has them thinking about future expansion.

For now, however, they’re focused on maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that helped launch the event.

“What we wanted was something people could leave feeling like they were part of something fun and different,” said Comeau.

Based on the crowds filling the waterfront each Monday night, that goal appears to be catching on.

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