Hundreds of vintage car enthusiasts poured over the Bruce Mines lakefront Saturday for the 21st annual Bruce Mines Cruisin’ Car Show.
The forecast rain shower, save for a few drops here ’n’ there, never showed up, allowing everyone to check out the 80 registered vehicles, socialize and have fun.
Bryan McDougall of Thessalon owns this 1985 Corvette.
“We all worked hard to make it happen and couldn’t be happier with the turnout of the event,” said Nate Caruana, Chair of the Bruce Mines Cruisin Car Show Committee. “People came from all over, from Espanola to Prince township everyone we talked to had a great time.”
It was an extra special day for Matteo Cuglietta. The 17-year-old was the youngest classic car owner at this year’s show, having recently been gifted with his late grandfather’s 1930 Ford Model A. The car was featured on the Cruisin Car Show’s promo poster this year.
Matteo Cuglietta, 17, with his 1930 Ford Model A.
“The car was originally my Grandpa’s.My grandpa died in 2017,” explains Cuglietta. “My Grandpa’s friend ended up getting the car and he held it until last year. He ended up having a dream, I think, where my grandpa told him to give me the car, when I was 18. But, they’re moving down south, so they ended up giving it to me when I (turned) 16.”
And how does it feel to be the owner of the Model A?
“I’m just livin’ the dream,” says Cuglietta, with a smile.
Clyde Bazzo of Pine Island is the proud owner of a 1978 Cadillac. He’s had the vehicle for about 10 years, and says he puts about 5,000 km on the car’s odometer each year. He loves it. He doesn’t say it, but it’s clear when you get to talking to him about it.
Bazzo encouraged this reporter to take a seat in the Caddy and check it out.
Plush! Very plush, folks.
Bazzo explains how he came to acquire the Caddy, once owned by a local doctor.
Bruce Mines Mayor Lory Petteri described the turnout as fantastic.
“I think the weather reports certainly helped with that when they said the skies were going to be clear,” said Mayor Petteri. “The show has been a huge success in my estimation and the committee’s as well. Vendors seem to be busy. Oldies 93 and Rock 101 are doing the broadcasting and I think people are enjoying that as well. Plus, you can’t say anything bad about the venue here. It’s gorgeous.”
A 1981 Cadillac Coupe Deville owned by Norman Seguin of the Sault.
Petteri says any profits from this year’s Cruisin Car Show will go right back into next year’s edition.
Last year, said Petteri, the small profits were used to refurbish the roof of the lakefront gazebo.
Jeremy Callahan had a great time at the car show. A Thessalon resident, Callahan is thrilled with his 1960-62 Hot Rod, which he picked up 10 years ago.
This year’s event wound up at 3 p.m. but another major and somewhat related event was scheduled for the grounds shortly after.
Marty West of the Sault with his 1965 Ford Mustang.
“One of the founding fathers (Larry Brunke) of the car show back in 2003, he has since passed away…but his daughter (Lisa) is getting married today. They’re having the ceremony right under the gazebo here, once we clean everything up for them and then they’re moving to the town hall for the reception. She just thought it was a very fitting date and tribute to her Dad to hold it today.”
Check out these cars!
A 1987 AMC Jeep owned by Darren McClelland of Pine Island.
The Sault’s Frank Mancuso owns this 1965 Jaguar E Type.
This 1935 Ford Pickup belongs to John Post of Bruce Mines.
This 1951 Ford Pickup belongs to John Post of Bruce Mines.
1962 Plymouth Fury owned by Denise and Jim Fleet of Sault Ste. Marie.
Batchewana Bay’s Phil and Joyce Bellerose are the owners of this 1966 Ford Galaxy.
A 1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass owned by Robert McCrea of Plummer Township.
This 1928 Ford Model A Tudor is owned by the Sault’s Al Kelly and was built by Bill Young of Goulais River.
Pine Island’s Clyde Bazzo owns this 1978 Cadillac.
A 1962 GMC Pickup owned by the Sault’s Dustin Whalen.
Grant and Heather of Bruce Mines own this 1931 Ford Model A Coupe.
Gary Ovens of the Sault owns this 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle.
A 1951 Ford Custom owned by Ray Goodall of Thessalon.
Piper Post of Bruce Mines owns this 1967 Ford Mustang.
A 1969 Plymouth Barracuda owned by Ken Irvine of Echo Bay.
Bill Sears of the Sault owns this 1963 Cadillac Deville.
The Sault’s Jake Quinton owns this 1954 Buick Century.
This 1968 442 Olds belongs to Bill Rosenberg of Thessalon.
Some of the volunteers at Saturday’s car show, back row, from left: Randy Morin, Tom Oleksak, Fred Mahoney, Nathan Caruana and Bruce Mines Mayor Lory Petteri. Front row, from left: Nick Morin, Jeff Morehouse and Abraham Njini.
From left, Rock 101’s Marketing rep, Dave Jarvis, On-Air personality Scott Cook, Bruce Mines Mayor Lory Petteri and Car Show Committee Chair Nathan Caruana.
Fantastic show loved it