Hundreds of cars on display
As the 26th version of RetroFest approaches, organizers are putting the pedal to the metal for fun and entertainment to coincide with the showcase of hundreds of vintage vehicles in Chatham’s downtown this weekend.
Kaitlin Goulet, executive director of the Downtown Chatham BIA, said she expects to see 400-500 classic cars, motorcycles and trucks be displayed in the core of the community, with a healthy dose of fun taking place in Tecumseh Park.
In terms of in-the-park festivities, bands and other entertainment will hit the stage, but just not where it has in the past. Goulet said the BIA is making use of the Mainstreet Credit Union stage for the event, and it will be set up near the Chatham Armoury – the opposite end of the park than what people are used to.
“The first thing you’ll notice when you come into the park is the layout is going to be completely different,” she said. “The bandshell just wasn’t giving us the sound quality we needed. Otherwise, the bandshell is a pretty cool spot, if you ask me.”
Dirt Country and Carson Janik highlight Friday night’s entertainment, while 40 Hours Over, Walkin 47 and Big Shiney Toons lead the Saturday performances. Entertainment begins at 4 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday.
There will be 20-plus food vendors and food trucks in the park for Friday night and Saturday, Goulet said.
As well, the Kids Zone will return to thrill children. As part of that, there will be a neon vibe, courtesy of the Blenheim Youth Centre.
“For anyone who brings a small donation, there will be glow sticks, face painting or body painting. There will be some more neon stuff at night,” Goulet said.
John McGregor Secondary School art students will be running a paint shop in the park – to paint vinyl records.
“I was walking around at the college and saw they had some records painted and hanging on the wall,” Goulet said, explaining where she got the idea for the concept. “We invite people to decorate them, and we’ll pin them on the fence.”
Some of the in-park fun will be on wheels. Goulet said there will be a roller rink set up – nearly 90 feet long – and people can bring their own roller skates or utilize some of the ones the BIA will have on hand to go back in time and remember the fun of going to the rink and grooving to the music.
The night vibe is something Goulet wants to showcase to everyone.
“We want to remind people to come back for music and fun each night,” she said. “On Saturday check out the cars, check out the vendors and check out the entertainment for the rest of the night.”
Memorie Lane will be serving adult beverages once again. Goulet said the entire park is licensed for RetroFest.
She reminds visitors that the municipality is not endorsing BYOB concepts at outdoor public events.
“I’m sure there will be a couple of people who will seek to being their own, but you cannot be bringing your alcohol into the park,” she said.
The provincial government recently announced it would give municipalities the discretion as to whether or not to allow people to bring their own booze to outdoor public events, but the Municipality of Chatham-Kent stated last week it would not opt for the BYOB option.
Much of the downtown will be shut off to vehicular traffic starting at 5 a.m. Saturday to allow the classic car owners to register and choose their preferred showcase location for their vehicles. There will even be a special area for vintage VWs – Beetles and vans.
Car enthusiasts who are showcasing their labours of love will pay $10 to register their vehicles, Goulet said. Those funds go to the Kent Historic Auto Club that runs the classic car portion of RetroFest, but Goulet said the club gives it back into the community through local non-profit organizations.
Goulet is hoping to use RetroFest to help showcase the diversity of Chatham’s downtown merchant base.
