"When the sun comes out, the cars come out."

That's from Vintage Cruisers Car Club President Meechelle Best on today's Cruising The Island Show and Shine held at Island Park in Portage la Prairie. She says the day was fantastic, noting they have the great weather to thank for that.

Having been involved with car clubs her whole life, Best says it's as much about the cars as it is the social aspect. 

Meechelle Best poses with one of her family's vintage cars.

"The people in this car club have known me since I was born and I've known some of their kids since they were born," explains Best. "So it's a family orientated business. We travel together, we go to car shows together. When somebody's going out somewhere for a Sunday or for a weekend the call goes out and by the end of the day there are six or eight cars joining in to make the trip to whatever car show we're going to."

For Vintage Cruisers Car Club member Lorne Edwards, that's one of the neat things about the classic car community in Manitoba.

"We are sort of one big family. We support each other's events," says Edwards, noting people from car clubs across the province were out for today's Show and Shine.

Edwards adds another cool thing about the Cruising The Island show is the variety of vehicles.

"You won't see all Fords, or Chevies or Mopars," says Edwards. "You'll see everything and that's what makes it such a fantastic event!"

Many of the people out at today's Show and Shine have been coming out for the event year after year. Best explains this is due to the amazing venue which is Island Park.

"Often, car shows are held in parking lots, which is lovely as well and there is always a good gathering of cars," explains Best. "But to come and be able to set up your lawnchairs, maybe pack a picnic lunch, enjoy the camaraderie of the other street-rodders, meet old friends..."

Lorn and his daughter, Victoria, stand beside their 1966 Chevrolet Caprice.Best adds another draw of Cruising The Island is that it's free. She explains they don't have a registration fee to participate and while they do have a silent auction and sell 50/50 tickets, all the money raised goes directly back into the community either in the form of bursaries or as donations to local charities.

The Vintage Cruisers have been holding the annual car show for over 35 years now and this year saw over 140 vehicles out for the day.