Visitors numbering into the hundreds and from all corners of the region and beyond knew they were going to face hot weather, but they must have also thought it was very cool to see the number of registered entries for the Classic Car Show Saturday in Hilton Beach.
"Ninety to 100 entries are what we’ve typically seen in the past," said Lauren Moule, summer events coordinator for the Village of Hilton Beach. "After two years without a show due to the pandemic, 145 vehicles was incredible."
Cars, trucks, motorcycles of various makes, models and years, and even the military were present for the record-breaking afternoon.
The event had 25 sponsors who donated items for the grab bags, gift certificates and monetary donations.
"The show really could not go on without them," Moule said. "They help to provide bags to the first 125 participants and pay for prizes and advertising among other things."
Live entertainment was provided by Flathead Ford with music from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
The award winners were as follows:
- Nick Palumbo Award: John Dimichele, sponsored by the Tilt’n Hilton
- Tony Alfano Award: Phil Bellerose, 1966 Ford Galaxy 500, sponsored by Alfano Auto Body, West Side
- Best in Show: Don Plewes, sponsored by Highland Ford
- People’s Choice Award: Eric Serrao, sponsored by Northshore Sports and Auto Ltd.
Moule, a University of Guelph student majoring in geography and minoring in french will be returning to Guelph in September for her fourth year.
She was offered and accepted the events coordinator position in early May by the Village of Hilton Beach after five years as a marina attendant.
"Since it was my first-time running events in Hilton Beach, I didn’t quite know what to expect," she said. "To get 145 cars registered at this show, a record year, is incredible. Certainly, the sunny and hot weather played a part in that, but I am very thankful for all those who came out and all the volunteers and local businesses who helped to make today a success."
Her job is a mere three-minute commute from the cottage that has been in her family since 1912 when her great-great-grandparents came to St. Joseph Island from Cincinnati in 1910 and built it in Hilton Beach.
Moule worked at the Hilton Beach Marina for the past five summers where the Village of Hilton Beach got to know her and her work ethic before offering the job.
"They offered me the position and I decided to take it, it was something different and would look great on the resume of a 21-year-old," she said. "I’ve been to Hilton Beach events throughout my life and ensuring they continue was important to me. The Classic Car Show is one of the events I was hired to do."
Moule is the event coordinator for this year’s Community Night, slated for Aug. 6.
"The incredible committee of volunteers who planned the event in 2019 were too busy to take on that commitment this year so I stepped up to the plate about a month ago,” she said adding “I am one person with no committee behind me, so I am hoping that event will also be a success."