SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Whether by people or car engines, downtown Summerside was humming on Friday nights this summer.
"It's been unreal," said Robert Gallant, the creator of the classic car nights event in Summerside.
Starting on July 5, the first event had 57 participants come out.
Aug. 23 was its largest turnout so far with 174 cars and hundreds of attendees. The final event of the season is Aug. 30.
"What really makes this event unique is the area - it's the downtown. There's a real atmosphere. You're not going to get the same effect somewhere else," Gallant said.
The initiative started because Gallant was looking for a way to celebrate his 30 years ownership of Michaels Pizzeria.
"I didn't want to just put out a special for the restaurant. I wanted to involve the whole downtown. Then Norma McColeman from city council recommended a car show. Immediately it clicked.
"I love cars, they're my thing. It's been a family thing since I was little. I and all my brothers all had old classic cars and would drive around in them."
Managing to get a portion of one of the busiest streets in Summerside on a Friday evening could have posed a problem. But Gallant said with support from the chief of police and a handful of volunteers, the events went off without a hitch.
Pierre Gallant, owner of HMS Office Supplies, a business along the stretch of road where Classic Car Nights is held, said the event was fantastic.
"It brought so many people downtown. Tourists and locals. Everyone was happy. The way it was set up made each week unique, making you want to see what you missed," said the HMS owner. "And it’s encouraging for retailers to stay open late on Fridays, it means there are so many people around."
As for Robert Gallant, he's hoping the weather expected to hit the Island thanks to Tropical Storm Erin will clear up by Friday evening.
"It's looking like it will get sunny around the late morning and early afternoon. So we're hoping for a good wrap up and weather."
For more information about the final Classic Car Night of the summer, go to the Downtown Summerside Facebook page.
