Get ready for the annual influx of classic and vintage cars to the region, as Cache Creek prepares to host its 31st annual Graffiti Days weekend from June 8 to 10. This year’s edition features old favourites such as the Smoke Show, Poker Run, and Sock Hop Dance, as well as something new: a Geo Cruise Treasure Hunt on Friday, June 8.
“Some people on the committee said that they can’t take part in the events, as they’re too busy on Saturday,” says Graffiti Days committee chairman Bill Elliott. The inclusion of a new Geo Cache Treasure Hunt on the Friday night was a way to let committee members participate in an event, and also draw people in for an extra day.
The hunt—which starts at the Cache Creek Information Centre at 7 p.m.—combines classic cars and geocaching, as participants will need a 1972 or older vehicle in order to take part. GPS coordinates and letterboxing clues will be supplied to everyone taking part, who then have to find hidden caches in the area.
Graffiti Days grew out of the earlier Cariboo Sam Days, which celebrated Cache Creek’s pioneering heritage and featured a stagecoach and horses. When the Eagle Motorplex opened, it was easy for the event organizers—many of whom belonged to the Cache Creek Volunteer Fire Department and were owners of old cars themselves—to make the change to Graffiti Days and a classic car weekend that rolls the clock back to the 1950s and 1960s.
In addition to the treasure hunt, Friday also sees a family dance for all ages at the Community Hall from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to wear 1950s-style clothing to create an appropriate atmosphere for the fun event, which will feature prizes and lots of great tunes.
The Poker Run starts on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Cache Creek Fire Hall, with participants (in 1972 or older cars) paying $5 per hand and setting off on a run that takes them around the area, with the winners sharing a prize pool of $400. The Show and Shine starts at 3 p.m. at the community hall, with all cars from 1972 or older welcome (there is no charge to display your car, and no pre-registration is necessary, plus the first 125 vehicles will receive dash plaques). There will also be a beer garden, and a barbecue concession provided by the Ashcroft and District Lions Club, at the site.
Elliott says that the Show and Shine is being held at the community hall because the park is too water-logged following this year’s flooding and resulting seepage. “In some ways the community hall is a bit easier, but the venue at the park is nicer,” he admits. “But we have no control over use of the park.”
He adds that people come from all over to both show their cars and see the vehicles on display. “We get people from all over the province; anywhere that’s within a few hours’ driving distance. It’s nice to show off your car.”
The Smoke Show—a crowd favourite that attracts hundreds of people—takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 Saturday evening at the community hall, and is open to all vehicles.
At 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night the doors of the community hall open for the Sock Hop Dance, where 1950s-style dress is again preferred. Tickets are $7 in advance (available from the Cariboo Jade Shop, the Cache Creek Husky, or during the Show and Shine) or $10 at the door (no minors).
The Cache Creek Market will be taking place on both Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beside Chum’s Restaurant both days. Anyone who wants to can set up a table for $5, or come by and browse the baking, plants, crafts, and treasures for sale.
“It takes a lot of work to put on the event,” says Elliott, noting that they regularly get 20 or more people to their meetings, with more than 30 people helping out over the weekend. “It’s a nice event, and the Village and the community support it immensely, which is great.”
editorial@accjournal.ca
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