B&B Memorial Shines Bright at Centennial Park

Kelli McRobert | Aug 30, 2023

Centennial Park was the hub of activity this past Saturday, as the B&B Memorial Show & Shine began at 10am. Beautiful cars began to arrive from towns far and wide. It was an impromptu parade of sorts as a blend of Classic Car fans blended with Fast and Furious… modified trucks and fans streamed in, filling the park and fields to capacity. If the cars were not enough of a draw, the DJ music filled the air and kept everyone upbeat and high spirited as you milled about the cars and learned about the owners and history of these gems. Vendors were on site, and there were draws and raffles filling a tent that you could shop about and enter to win some beautiful, donated crafts and wares.

The Fire Department was on hand and kept the kids slipping and sliding with glee. Beaver Tails were in high demand as families lined up for the sweet treat, ‘a staple’ at many Canadian events. As you entered the main area, you were drawn to the two vehicles that sat side by side, front and centre. These are the cars that the families own to honour the two boys whose lives were lost at a very young age. In 2019 Bailey Green died at the age of 22, and shortly thereafter, Blake Young passed away in 2020, at just 21 years old. Bailey’s dream car, a metallic blue Subaru, sits idle, a proud display of his mom’s trophies and a photo montage displayed in his honour, a reminder of his youthfulness, his passion for life, and a loss that was sudden and tragic. Beside this, Blake’s mom’s bright yellow Honda, photos proudly displayed to show his life, summed up on bright yellow Bristol board.

The neighbours shared in their grief, and that was when Trish and Joe Green decided to start a memorial in honour of the boys, and to give back to the local Fire Department all proceeds from these events. The mood was upbeat and positive, as families shared stories and made new memories. Car owners gathered behind their ‘rides’ to share quality time and reminisce. It was a coming together of people, bittersweet to some as the wounds continue to heal, memories still fresh, joining together so that some good may come from such a deeply felt loss.

As an entrance fee to the car show, participants could donate money, or food, to support the local food bank. Hundreds of pounds have been donated since the inception of this show in 2021. The show itself continues to grow and plans are already in motion for next year’s event slated for August 31st, 2024 - Bailey’s birthday!

The show and shine raise $1338 plus a ton of food for the South Frontenac Food Bank, and a total of $10,163 for the South and Central Frontenac Fire and Emergency Departments. Bailey and Blake would be so proud