By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A mini-classic car show at John McGregor Secondary School brought out the maximum in enthusiasm recently.
Put on as a scaled-down version of RetroFest, in honour of Chatham’s iconic event, the gathering showcased 30 classic cars, as well as food, music and a vintage clothing costume contest.
A collaboration between the school, the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA and the Kent Historic Auto Club, the car show came together in just three weeks’ time, according to JMSS visual arts teacher Jenn McQuade.
McQuade said she met BIA executive director Katie Goulet by chance last month. During their talk, Goulet told her finding volunteers for RetroFest was somewhat of a challenge, but the two came up with a solution they hope will encourage young people to volunteer and take part in the event.
“I thought it would be a really good opportunity for us to get involved in the community and RetroFest, “McQuade said in an interview, noting she hopes the event will act as a bridge between RetroFest and local volunteers.
The teacher said the community quickly came together “to show up for us,” to pull the classic car show together, noting every department at JMSS pitched in to help.
“Today was a celebration, but I was so moved by the sense of pride everyone felt there,” McQuade said at the April 14 event. “I talked to alumni and heard car owners talk of family legacy and touching memories.”
Another aspect of the show was the opportunity for student artists to sketch, paint and shoot photos of vehicles heralding from the era of their grandparents and beyond. Student Jordan Holland designed the event’s T-shirt logo in his first ever attempt at digital artwork, transforming the claw marks of the school’s panther mascot into tire tracks, while Chloe Tetrault served as the school’s photographer.
Replete in top hat and mustache, student Solomon Prince claimed first prize in the costume contest.
