Graffiti Days organizer Bill Elliott was doing a brisk business at the Ashcroft and District Fall Fair on Sept. 8, selling raffle tickets on what might be said to have become Graffiti Days’ unofficial mascot: a 1955 Chev 210 4-door sedan.
To say that the car has seen better days would be an understatement, which might explain why it is making its fourth appearance at Graffiti Days: every winner of the raffle has opted for the alternative, a cash prize (this year it’s $300).
Would-be winners can see it for themselves at this year’s Graffiti Days weekend, taking place in Cache Creek from Sept. 13–15. Raffle tickets are $5 each, and while the car isn’t much to look at, it’s undoubtedly tough: it survived the Tremont Creek wildfire in 2021, when it was stored at a property near Barnes Lake, and the flooding in Cache Creek in 2023, when it was stored near the Bonaparte River. The car is now being stored on higher ground, hopefully away from fires and floods.
If you’re wondering how Cache Creek came to host a classic car weekend, Elliott — who has been part of the event since its inception — explained to the Journal in 2019 that he, Ben Roy, Clayton Cassidy, and Norm Brezina came up with the idea of Cariboo Sam Days, which celebrated the area’s western and gold rush heritage.
However, when the Eagle Motorplex opened in 1989, the men noticed that classic cars began to show up in the area. “We decided we needed to do something,” said Elliott. “We dropped the horses because we were all car guys, and that was more up our alley than horses.”
A “Nifty Fifties ‘Graffiti’ Theme” was adopted by the Village of Cache Creek in 1990, and Graffiti Days works to bring back the days of poodle skirts, pompadours, and rock and roll music. Attendees at the two dances held at the community hall over the weekend — a family dance on Friday, Sept. 13 (6 to 9 p.m.) and a 19+ dance on Saturday, Sept. 14 (doors open at 9 p.m.) — are encouraged to wear 1950s attire.
Traditionally held on the second weekend in June, the 2023 edition was moved to September following severe flooding in the community in May 2023 that affected many sites. It wasn’t the first time that organizers had had to scramble to reschedule Graffiti Days events after floods in Cache Creek, so as of this year the event has permanently moved to the second weekend of September.
The drag races at the Eagle Motorplex were a big part of Graffiti Days for many years, but the facility closed after the 2015 season. However, drag races will be held at the Campbell Hill drag strip south of Cache Creek alongside Graffiti Days, with races starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Cache Creek Market will be operating beside the library from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The popular “Classic Car Cruise” will tour through Cache Creek and Ashcroft starting at noon on Saturday at the Cache Creek Info Centre, and all cars from 1979 or earlier can take part. You can then get up close and personal with most of the vehicles at the Show ’n’ Shine at the Cache Creek Park from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday; a beer garden, as well as the Ashcroft and District Lions Club concession, will be open for business.
There is no cost or pre-registration necessary to take part in the Show ’n’ Shine; simply bring your 1979 or earlier vehicle. Free dash plaques are available for all who enter, and this year there is a free draw for participants, with more than $2,000 in prizes and gift cards up for grabs.
The Smoke Show on Saturday evening (6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cache Creek Community Hall) is a favourite with crowds, and is open to everyone (no admission or registration fees). For those wondering how this event came about: it was done to prevent people from “burning rubber” in other parts of town, and on public roads, during the Graffiti Days weekend. The wooden-decked Todd Road bridge was a popular location, and to save wear-and-tear on the bridge and roads, and prevent accidents, a smoke show in a controlled and safe environment became part of the weekend.
Finally, get ready to go on a run for prizes during the Poker Run on Sunday, Sept. 15. The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Cache Creek Community Hall, and is open to all vehicles.
As for that raffle car? Perhaps fourth time’s the charm. Check it out while you’re at the Show ’n’ Shine, and try to picture it after it receives a little TLC, taking part in a future Classic Car Cruise.
