Historic Downtown Chatham BIA Chairman Jim Carrington said he’s proud of the way RetroFest has grown over the past 15 years.
“It’s really become an event that stands on its own,” he said. “A lot of people plan their weekends off around this event.”
Carrington said the event, billed this year as RetroFest’s Sweet 16, brings an amazing amount of foot traffic to the downtown core.”
“When we have 40,000 people wandering along King Street and through downtown Chatham, it’s really something,” he said. “It’s much more than just a car show, it’s a signature Chatham event.”
Connie Beneteau, BIA project co-ordinator, said the event has a strong core of volunteers and some outstanding sponsors.
“There is no way this event would happen without all of the effort from our sponsors including OLG (the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission), which sponsors the cruise, the Kent Historic Car Club and so many, many more.”
The event will get revved up with a special appearance by legendary auto manufacturer Malcolm Bricklin, who will appear at the Capitol Theatre May 25 when “Entrepreneur”, the documentary about his life will be shown.
Retrofest proper will take place May 27 and 28.
The event is being expanded with rides, entertainment and attractions at Tecumseh Park featuring a larger than ever section of free and sponsored rides, a beer garden and entertainment sponsored by Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Live entertainment will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Saturday morning will feature a soapbox derby adjacent to the park on William Street.
The Friday night festivities will kick off with the OLG Classic Car Cruise, a 600-vehicle event featuring trucks and cars spanning several decades.
Downtown King Street will be closed Saturday as the Kent Historic Auto Club car show takes over the downtown area with hundreds of classic cars parked along the streets for the competition.
