by Sylene Argent
On Sunday, the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) opened its facility to host its annual spring Festival of Cars and Automotive Flea Market. This event was originally scheduled for early June, but rain, combined with soggy grounds, forced the Museum’s staff and volunteers to plan a rain date.
CTMHV’s Chairperson, Harry Bergman, was pleased with the overall for out at the event, especially since it was a postponed show. He noted it is not always known what to expect in the event of hosting a rain date event, but he was glad this one turned out well.
Those visiting the grounds were able to see over 100 classic and custom cars onsite, shop for unique vehicles for sale in the Car Corral, or search out rare parts in the flea market area. One of the unique displays included an electric bike.
Gord Keirl of Windsor was one of the car buffs who took the opportunity to show off his own car, a ’69 GTO, at the event. He has owned this car 19-years, and got it in basically finished condition from a man in Alberta.
With the distance so far, Keirl, after having found the car for sale on a website, asked his brother-in-law to check it out. Soon after, the car was delivered to his driveway.
Keirl wanted this type of car because he owned one when he was 20.
Larry Lambier was another participant in the car show. He proudly displayed the ’69 Plymouth GTX he has owned for three-years. He has spent some time working on the vehicle and has enjoyed driving it.
“I have always liked the style of the GTX and Roadrunner,” he said, noting he likes a sporty look to a car.
Lambier enjoys his hobby of restoring classics. He finds classic cars, puts in some mechanical work, and then sells them.
The CTMHV hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year to raise funds for its Children’s Education Program, which provided thousands of area students with a hands-on history lesson each year.
Coming up, the CTMHV will host its Fall Festival of Cars and Automotive Flea Market on September 1. In addition, it is continuing to sell tickets for its 2019 car raffle, which is a 1983 Mustang convertible. The winning ticket will be drawn at its December 31 New Year’s Eve Party.
A unique exhibit currently on display inside the Museum includes a plethora of memorabilia of “The Beatles,” which is just in time to coincide with the release of the movie, “Yesterday,” where the British rock band’s music is suddenly forgotten by everyone on earth, but one musician.
For more information about the CTMHV’s events, or to learn how to become a volunteer, which are always needed, log onto ctmhv.com.