Gerry Demski, of Peachland, was showing this 1956 Ford F100 truck at the 2015 Cactus Jalopies. The 2016 Cactus Jalopies event is expected to bring in more than 300 custom made cars, trucks and motorcycles to Gyro Park next Saturday. (Richard McGuire photo)
An event that has literally grown and become more popular with each passing year will again attract thousands of visitors as the Cactus Jalopies Desert Wine Tour event returns next weekend.
“We’re very proud to say that we’re now the second biggest community event in Osoyoos behind Canada Day celebrations,” said Francine Launier, who has helped organize the Cactus Jalopies event with her son J.F. Launier for more than a decade.
“We never thought we would grow as quickly as we have, but now we attract huge crowds to our car show and we’re very happy about it.”
Unlike many events in small towns, Cactus Jalopies was a success from day one, but it has grown significantly over the past decade, she said.
“The event was a hit right away as we had more than 100 cars and there was good community support,” she said. “It grew a little bit in the second year and has just kept growing.
“Last year we had 243 vehicles and this year we’re expecting more than 300. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble getting 300 as we had more than 80 pre-register the first couple of days that we opened registrations.”
The event started in a parking lot on the edge of town and then moved downtown across from the Canada Post office for a couple of years before making its permanent move to Gyro Park.
This will be the ninth consecutive year the event has been held in the popular downtown park, she said.
It’s estimated that Cactus Jalopies attracts between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors over the course of the day, said Launier.
Cactus Jalopies now attracts custom made cars, trucks, motorcycles and hot rods from across British Columbia as well as Washington State and many from Alberta as well, she said.
“We have a gang of about 15 coming up from Spokane and we are continuing to attract a lot of vehicles from Calgary and Edmonton area,” she said.
The popular Peachland Show and Shine car show, held this past weekend, continues to be the largest car show in the South Okanagan, but Cactus Jalopies continues to grow, while there’s no more room to expand the Peachland show, she said.
“Peachland gets over 400 vehicles and I can see the day very soon when our show gets 400,” she said.
As has been the case the past few years, those entering vehicles in Cactus Jalopies are offered the opportunity to have some fun before and after the event, she said.
A Wine Tours Poker Run will be held next Friday, June 3, with registration taking place at JF Kustoms on Hwy. 3. A welcome reception will also take place at Spirit Ridge resort on Friday evening.
There will be a ladies poker walk, beer garden and awards banquet on Saturday.
On Sunday, all participants in the car show can attend the Wine Country Racing Association drag racing event at the Osoyoos Airport and only pay $5 or half the normal entry free.
Another popular event that attracts large crowds as part of the Cactus Jalopies event is the high-flying motorcycle stunt show that takes place in the parking lot behind The Owl pub and restaurant.
Three or four stunt riders will wow audiences with shows at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
“The motorcycle stunt show has become very popular and we hope to keep bringing them back every year,” said Launier.
For many years, some of the proceeds from the event went to bursaries at Osoyoos Secondary School.
With the recent announcement to close the high school in Osoyoos, organizers have agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Osoyoos Independent School committee that is working hard to bring an independent school to Osoyoos, said Launier.
As well, a raffle will be held with the lucky winner winning a $6,000 vehicle from the used car lot at JF Kustoms, she said.
Launier said Mother Nature has been very kind to the Cactus Jalopies event over the years and she’s hoping for another beautiful day on June 4.
Anyone wanting to register their vehicle can do so by calling 250-498-7296. Pre-registration is $20. For more information, you can send an email to [email protected].
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
