The Verona Car Show Beats the Heat

Jeff Green | Aug 10, 2022

The sweat that was beading up on John Nizman's face at about 6:30 on Sunday morning (August 7) was not only coming from the heat that was already enveloping Lion's Park in Verona. It was also coming from what that heat was threatening to do to the Verona Car Show Event, which was only 90 minutes from starting.

The first vintage car had just arrived, which was a concern because he had expected some of the early birds to arrive almost an hour earlier, a typical arrive time for keeners looking to get a prime location for the show.

A few minutes earlier he had received a phone call to let him know that the 44 cars that were scheduled to leave Ottawa in tandem at 6am, were not coming. The forecast called for a 40% chance of thunderstorms all day, and the group decided at the last minute to garage their cars and go back to bed instead of driving to Verona.

And the volunteers, so crucial to the success of the Car Show and Festival that has become a major event in the summer calendar and the largest annual fundraising event in South Frontenac, were dropping as well.

It was partially about the threat of rain, but also about the heat, and at 6:30am it was already hot and sticky at the park.

However, the first few cars were followed by more, and more, and by 8am there were over 180 shiny, vintage cars on hand to compete for prizes and the attention of the public. The band shell was ready for Trevor Walsh group, the Bouncy Castle was inflated, and the dunk tank was in place. Even a new innovation, a cordoned off licensed area ready to serve Harrowsmith Brewing Company beer, was all set up.

The core group of volunteers had arrived, Verona and Sharbot Lake Lion's, parents and kids from sports groups, Frontenac Museum volunteers, and others.

The first of an eventual 1,000 attendees from across Frontenac County and beyond had arrived, and the day was underway.

“I must say I was relieved when it got underway and everything was working. We had to make sure to keep everyone hydrated all day. There was no rain, but we did have a few cases of heat stroke because it was very, very, hot, but everyone had fun, even the politicians in the dunk tank, and we raised a fair bit of money for the Lions to spend in the community,” Nizman said on Monday.

There was a sense of relief at 3pm when it was time for clean up. After cancellation in 2020, operating with COVID restrictions in 2021, running the Car Show on the hottest weekend of the summer was just another challenge.

The tally for the money raised was confirmed early on Tuesday morning (August 9) and it is an impressive $15,000+. The Verona Lions will announce how it will be allocated after their September meeting. Groups who support the festival with volunteers share in the proceeds, as do others who the Lions identify through their community contacts.

And in breaking news, The Verona Car Show event is changing dates next year. It will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Mark the date