FENWOOD — Community members will gather Sunday, July 26, for a day of family fun, vehicles and fundraising as the Fenwood Heritage Club hosts its fourth annual Show and Shine, this year in support of two injured Melville RCMP officers.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park located at 131 3rd Avenue on King Street in Fenwood. Organizers say proceeds from the event and a 50/50 raffle will help support the officers and their families as they deal with ongoing medical and recovery-related expenses.
Held under the theme "We Stand Together," this year's event will see funds directed toward helping the two officers as they recover from their injuries.
Organizer Darryl Struble said choosing the officers as this year's beneficiaries was an easy decision.
"The officers that were involved were very well liked in the community," Struble said. "They've always been supportive. They've come out to our events here in Fenwood and supported us. They're really community-minded people."
The annual Show and Shine began four years ago as a way to support individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Since then, it has become the Heritage Club's signature fundraising event.
"The first year there was a local person that needed help, and it was very well received," Struble said. "We've done it every year since. It's our one event of the year where we give back and raise money for a cause."
Struble noted that while medical care may be publicly funded, families dealing with serious injuries often face significant additional expenses, including travel, accommodation and time away from work.
"That's what we do this for, families in need that are having struggles," he said. "There's still a financial burden when people have to travel and spend time away from home."
The event welcomes a wide range of vehicles, from classic cars and pickup trucks to tractors, motorcycles, work vehicles and farm equipment.
"If it has wheels, bring it," Struble said.
Along with the vehicle displays, visitors can enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including mini golf, a swimming pool, batting cages, vendors, prizes and a canteen.
Admission and vehicle entries are free.
The event was moved to its current location last year after previously being held at the community centre. Struble said participants responded positively to the change.
"We have an adventure park with mini golf and a swimming pool, and there's a lot more room," he said. "People really liked it because there was more space and more facilities."
While some car shows focus on high-end restorations and rare collector vehicles, Struble said Fenwood's event is intended to be welcoming and accessible.
"There are people with really nice vehicles, but they're not necessarily entering the big car shows," he said. "We wanted to give them a place to bring them and show them off a little."
A 50/50 raffle will also be held during the event, with tickets available for $5 each. Organizers say all proceeds from the raffle will go directly toward supporting the injured officers and their families.
Attendance numbers are difficult to predict, Struble said, but past events have attracted strong community support.
"We never really know what to expect," he said. "It's always a surprise every year, but people always seem to come out."
He added that organizers continue to refine the event each year in an effort to make it bigger and better.
"We keep getting a little bit better organized every year," Struble said. "We make changes here and there and try to improve it."
More than a vehicle show, Struble said the event is about bringing people together and supporting neighbours in need.
Residents from Fenwood and surrounding communities are encouraged to attend, enjoy the activities and help support a local cause.
For more information, contact Darryl Struble at 306-621-1265.
