First Uxbridge Autofest considered a success

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As far as Dave Repol was concerned, the weekend's Autofest car show at Elgin Park was "excellent."

For a donation, kids could paint on a VW bug.                                     Photo by John Cavers

Repol, who was in charge of a large number of staff handling registration for the event, said about 1,300 show cars were registered and, for the public showing on Sunday, the public parking area was at capacity and the overflow parking was full.

With the exception of the horse ring and the children's playground, just about every inch of the park was taken over by the car enthusiasts. Cars on show ranged from 1920s Tin Lizzies to modern, state-of-the-art Corvettes and just about everything in between. A multitude of vendors was on hand, selling everything connected with autos, from clothing to Hot Wheels to car accessories. Numerous food vendors were available and long lines formed at all of them on Sunday.

Participants could take a whack at an old car with a sledge hammer, and kids could try their hand at painting a Volkswagen bug. On Sunday, there was a tractor pull.

Saturday was reserved for show participants, with no public allowed until after 5 p.m., when the park was opened for a concert by Uxbridge's own Leah Daniels and Ben Hudson.

Among the participants were Brennan and Ashley from Little Britain, who were there with their two young children and three cars; a '69 222 Camaro, a '70 Firebird and a ‘65 F885 Olds wagon. For them, the show was a chance to relax, mingle and spend time together as a family. For Beverly Kaye, the weekend was somewhat of a homecoming, An Oakville resident, Kaye said she was raised in Uxbridge and her father was the last chief of the Uxbridge municipal police force. Sitting beside their '66 Mustang and '81 AMC Concord, Kaye and her husband said Autofest allows them to socialize with like-minded enthusiasts, although it was the first Autofest for both of them. She said Elgin Park was "a perfect place" for the car show because of the ample shade provided by the trees.

All around the park, enthusiasts gathered in groups large and small to swap stories and throughout the park there was the steady full-throated rumble of car engines.

All the buildings in the park were utilized and a silent auction held in the main park building raised $8,000 for Grandview Children's Centre. An $8,000 donation was also made to the Uxbridge Hospital Foundation.

Courtney Clarke, acting director of public works, said township staff examined the park on Monday morning to assess any damage. Clarke said that despite the number of vehicles, there was little additional damage done to the grounds than occurred a week earlier when a downpour flooded the area during the final hours of Art in the Park. She said there would be no point in attempting any remediation until after the Fall Fair next month, at which time the township will reseed the grassy areas.