SASKATOON - In a 小蓝视频 interview with Draggins Car Club member, Shane Arthurs, he is not just along for the ride. The pride and enthusiasm are evident as he describes the club’s more than six decades of hosting the annual Draggins Car Show, over Easter weekend, benefitting Camp Easter Seal.
With the car club’s history dating back to 1957, the car show itself is in its 63rd year running, with the first show held in 1961 and a short lapse with pandemic prescribed restrictions.
Arthurs, who is in charge of promotions and other aspects of the club’s affairs, says this event has donated in excess of $3.5M to Camp Easter Seal.
Their fundraising efforts helped construct a new aquatic centre, fully funded a recreation centre, a storage facility and five cedar cabins, along with purchasing a 4x4 truck, a tractor and all of the laundry equipment. The financial commitment from the Draggins Car show enables Camp Easter Seal to meet the complex and unique needs of campers who attend.
Arthurs says their club takes great pride in their long-time commitment to this camp, enabling high-need campers the opportunity to participate in everything Camp Easter Seal has to offer. This allows these children opportunities to become independent, explore new skills, build new friendships and live and enjoy life to the fullest.
The car club maintains their financial commitment to this summer camp is possible through the thousands of car enthusiasts that attend the car show each year, and proceeds raised through their raffles.
Steve Grover, Manager of Camp Easter Seals, says, “Camp is a great place and we love the relationships we have been able to develop with people and community groups over the years. We reach both campers and staff from across the province, and many people have a sense of partnership with us in our work, as the only fully accessible and barrier free camp in the province.”
An interesting side note on the Draggins Car Club commitment to Camp Easter Seal include one of their car club members benefitting from the summer camp as a child and this is their organization’s way of giving back.
One of the most loved and anticipated events in Saskatoon
The event draws in thousands of visitors from both inside and outside of the city along with those within Saskatoon and area. Held over Easter weekend each year at Prairieland Park, the car show is a judged competitive event with exhibitors competing in various classes and years of hot rods, custom cars, antique vehicles and special interest vehicles.
The growing popularity of ‘Battle of the Automotive Techs’ is another drawing factor.
There have been many highlights of this car club, two of them including induction into the Saskatchewan Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1997 as well as celebrating the club’s 50th anniversary in the first decade of the new millennium.
Arthurs also tells 小蓝视频, that their club includes 28 members and they recently lost their longest serving member after 50 years with the club. Arthurs acknowledges while there are 28 club members, there is room for 40 in their constitution.
“The car show is made possible not only through our car club members but many volunteers who take on door shifts, security, judging, and set up. Volunteers come from a lot of different car clubs along with Clavet High School. We start at 7 a.m. the morning before the show and run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. both Good Friday and Easter Saturday,” said Arthurs.
There have been many annual car show highlights over the years that included the builder of the Batmobile attending; Welder Up, a guy that showcases Vegas Hot-rods on YouTube and a Saskatchewan fellow who had a one of its kind Chrysler product that no one else had in Canada.
The Draggins Car club not only benefits a children’s charity they love to see kids at their shows and each kid in through the door receives a Hot Wheels toy, as well as there is a Hot Wheels track set up for kids in the venue. Arthurs affirms they give away around 2,500 Hot Wheels toys each year, thanks to sponsorship partners.
Arthurs says they haven’t faced any challenges, that everyone has a job to do and many hands make light work, ensuring the entire planning and show’s execution is seamless. Each year’s events planning process begins just weeks after the most recent one has finished.
The Draggins Car Club also books 10-12 spots at the annual Saskatoon Cruise Night activities as well as supports other car clubs as a thanks for the support they receive in this show, their biggest endeavour.
