The Crystal Beach Business Improvement (Area) Association and Crime Stoppers of Niagara are once again teaming up to host a car show in Crystal Beach.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Owners of antique, classic, historic or modified vehicles are invited to participate.
About 100 vehicles took part in the 2021 Crystal Beach Car Rally which was organized to help celebrate the town’s centennial.
Crystal Beach business leaders had scheduled a number of events for the 100th anniversary celebration, but most had to be cancelled because of COVID. Crime Stoppers of Niagara suggested holding a display of cars in an outdoor setting that would allow residents and visitors to attend the event while maintaining social distancing.
Having the vehicles parade along streets through Crystal Beach also gave residents confined to their homes with the virus the opportunity to view the various cars participating in the car show event.
Robin Bannerman, manager of the Crystal Ball Café, said the BIA was impressed with the success of the 2021 car show and invited Crime Stoppers to help host this year’s event.
“It definitely created a great deal of excitement in Crystal Beach and provided an attraction for both residents and visitors,” said Bannerman.
“Business owners reported a significant increase in sales and the influx of customers was a definite bonus after a dismal tourist season which resulted from the COVID lockdown.”
Bannerman also said events at the tail end of summer show that Crystal Beach is a community where people live and businesses operate all year.
Older vehicles attract attention from people of all ages and Crystal Beach plans to make the car rally an annual event.
“Owners obviously take pride in their vehicles and enjoy the opportunity to put them on display to give the public a close-up view,” she said.
It’s also important to note that Wally Friesman, the Showman of Chippawa and friend of car club members across Niagara, is providing DJ services for the event and draws for prizes from local merchants will be held throughout the day.
Ernie Sibbett, chair of Niagara’s Crime Stoppers program, said the car rally helps create awareness of Crime Stoppers among those attending and provides an opportunity to raise funds through donations to the region’s crime solving program.
“It creates a win-win situation when Crime Stoppers works together with the Crystal Beach business community to help hold car rallies and similar events,” said Sibbett.
“Crime Stoppers of Niagara is a charitable organization that has been operated by volunteers since 1985 to take anonymous tips that assist Niagara Regional Police to solve crime across the region,” he said. “We are always looking for ways to highlight our efforts to keep communities in Niagara Region safe and secure.”
Sibbett also said Crime Stoppers wanted to recognize an important anniversary and acknowledge Crystal Beach is a safe place to live, work and play.”
Those wishing to take part in the 2022 Car Rally must register through EventBrite at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/crime-stoppers-of-niagara-crystal-beach-centennial-celebration-car-rally-tickets-397151760607 or by contacting Crime Stoppers via email at brooklyn@niagaratips.com or phoning 905-938-5463.
