KINKORA, P.E.I. - Crowds flocked to view an incredible selection of classic vintage cars and antique tractors glisten like new under the rays of the sun at the 39th Somerset Festival held in Kinkora on Sunday.
Highlights of the week-long festival included a parade, car rally, bike rodeo, helicopter tours, Kinkora Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast, the 12th Annual Antique Tractor Pull, and a new edition, the first Kevin Gaudet Memorial Car Show.
Amanda Keefe said the car show was started by friends and family of Kevin Gaudet, who died of cancer in 2017, to fulfill his dream and raise funds for local families in need.
“Kevin is my father-in-law and he was an avid car fan. Two of his classic cars, a 1952 Dodge and 1975 Skylar, are on show today and he would bring them to many car events,” said Keefe.
She continued, “Kevin always wanted to hold a car show in Kinkora during the festival and it never happened, so we are making it happen for him today. All the family are here, and Richard Shea has been phenomenal to allow us to park all these vehicles on his property.
“If Kevin could see this he would be beyond excited because he knows everyone here and is a big fan of antique cars. And we hope the event will be even bigger and better next year and to keep this in Kinkora.”
More than 60 retro vehicles were registered at the event. They included a 1939 Ford Roadster, a 1959 Willy’s Wagon, a 1934 Pontiac, a 1976 and a 1970 Volkswagen Beetle, and a 1977 Volkswagen Westfalia camper owned by Dale Clow, to name but a few.
Clow, from Freetown P.E.I., said he travels across the country to showcase his retro camper.
“We’re off to Graves Provincial Park in Nova Scotia on Friday for a car show, and then there’s one in Hantsport, N.S.,” he said, while noting that he attends all classic car shows. He added, “This vehicle is great to camp in, and everyone who drives past always gives us the thumbs up.”
Adjacent to car show was a 45 antique tractor pull.
“It expands over the weekend and is done on a dirt track,” explained Grant Desjardins, a volunteer Kinkora firefighter at the tractor pull.
Proceeds from the tractor pull go towards the Kinkora Fire Department Association.
The fun-filled festival ran from Monday, July 16 to 22.
