By Kevin Gilby
The end of summer is marked by many things: combines in the field, pools being drained, and vintage automobiles gathering in small town Saskatchewan.
For the eighth year, the Holder and Owen families hosted the annual Kenaston Memorial Show and Shine on Sept. 1 in memory of Bill Holder and Eldon Owen. Held on Labour Day weekend, the show and shine attracts classic automobiles from throughout the province to help raise money for the Kenaston and District Fire Department and keep the love of classic cars alive and thriving in rural Saskatchewan.
Eldon Owen and Bill Holder were friends since they were children growing up together, and their shared interest in mechanics and vehicles remained constant throughout their lives. After their respectful passings, families of the pair have kept their memory and passions alive by hosting the show and shine.
“We had 72 cars this year,” said event organizer Amanda Holder, granddaughter of Bill Holder. “And we raised over $34,000 for the Kenaston and District Volunteer Fire Department.”
The show and shine raised money through entrance donations, vehicle registration fees, a 50/50 draw, and a BBQ hosted by the Owen family.
“Lots of people from all over the province came to the show,” she said. “Lloydminster is the furthest that someone brought a vehicle from.”
Visitors strolled the aisles of vehicles, sometimes talking about their memories with the owners or amongst themselves. One couple of 40 years was overheard reminiscing about their honeymoon in a 1954 Chevy Belair while admiring one on display.
“It brings back a memory,” Holder said when thinking about vintage cars. “It’s like a song, or a smell; things can trigger some sort of memory. Going to a car show is one of those things when people tell stories or remember things when they make a connection to cars they see.”
Organizers tossed around moving the date due to harvest, but so far remain committed to the long weekend.
“Although there’s a lot of things going on that weekend, it still seems to be well attended which we’re grateful for,” said Holder. “Some people stop in on their way to the Rider game; they see the sign on the road, they stop by for a minute and look around. It’s a good time. It’s halfwayish from Saskatoon to Regina.”
Holder remarked that the show is a little different every year as new collectors visit for the first time, or longtime supporters bring a different automobile from their collections.
“The Shifters Car Club and the Saskatoon Car Club are huge supporters of the event every year, and we saw a number of them return this year as well as some new members.”
Show and Shine organizers wish to acknowledge the countless volunteers, and the businesses and individuals that supported the event: Riverbend Co-op, Hoffman Holder Insurance, Slowhand Corp, FWS, Sunwest DLC, Affinity Credit Union, Kenaston and District Volunteer Fire Department, Tammy and Dennis Powder, Jaw and Michel Taylor, Art and Wendy Sekulich, and Whitetail Distillery for donations and help towards prizes.
“It’s kind of like the unofficial end of summer event,” Holder said. “I don’t like to say that but it’s like the last chance we can get together, have a good time, and have good weather.”