Shiny chrome, supple leather, and big engines will be flooding Smithers’ Main Street Friday as the BMW Vintage and Classic Car Club of America makes their way through the Bulkley Valley.
Since 2004 the club has been organizing the annual rally that in 2011 will take them from Vancouver to Vancouver Island, where they’ll catch the ferry to Prince Rupert and carry on to Jasper and Banff before making their way back to Vancouver, and the U.S. border. Club members who take the trip must own a BMW that is 25 years or older.
B.V. Museum Director Fergus Tomlin said he was contacted by the club, who had read about the Gasoline Valley exhibit and wished to know more.
After he told them of how the first vehicle came to the valley overland in 1911, they were intrigued by the story. So intrigued that they agreed to stay and host a parade.
“They’re over the moon about this because it’s the only place on their entire journey where people are making a big noise about them,” Tomlin said. “So they’re really excited to come to Smithers.”
The drivers will arrive in Smithers on July 14 for a tour guided by Tomlin through Gasoline Valley. From there, the fun starts on July 15 at 9 a.m. when the cars will begin to line our Main Street. Tomlin thanked the Smithers Merchants for making such a thing possible for the Smithers tour.
For two hours, the cars will be on static display on Main Street, some of which have come from as far away as Germany, the United Kingdom or Switzerland to take part in this rally, although most are from the U.S. The latest numbers indicate that 34 cars will be making the tour, the oldest a 1937 model.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet these people,” Tomlin said, who noted the drivers, many of whom have not been to this area previously, will be with their cars available for questions and discussion.
At 11:30 a.m., the drivers will start their engines for a parade down Main Street. After a couple of laps they’ll then make their way through the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District to Prince George for the night, before carrying on to Alberta.
After the show, Tomlin encouraged those who enjoyed the show to continue to enjoy all that Smithers has to offer by taking part in the Culture Crawl that includes the Gasoline Valley exhibition. He’s anticipating this event to not only draw in locals but those in the region as well.
“It doesn’t end with the parade,” Tomlin said.
Culture Crawl pamphlets are available from the museum.