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Car show rolling into Black Diamond

Entertainment: Proceeds going to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
BD-carshow22
Corrine Davidson of Black Diamond checks out a 1926 Fort Model T at last year's Black Diamond Car Show. This year's event takes place July 28. (Wheel File Photo)

Vehicles ranging from vintage to classic will roll into Black Diamond this weekend in a charity event dedicated to finding the cause behind brain tumours.

In honour of her late husband who succumbed to a brain tumour two years ago, Gerry Tofin and her sons Carson and Michael are bringing the Thumbs Up Association’s Black Diamond Car Show back on July 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring a car show, related vendors and food trucks.

The family spearheaded the association in 2017 to raise money for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada while honouring husband and father Perry Tofin, who died three months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“It’s such a horrible thing to happen to anyone,” said Tofin. “Going into it you get the diagnosis and think everything will be good after the surgery. It’s the beginning of a really difficult journey. They’re messing with your brain so the person you knew actually changes. It’s very devastating for the family and the patient.”

Black Diamond’s 3rd Street along the Oilfields Regional Arena will be lined with close to 200 vintage, classic and custom vehicles from hot rods to muscle cars, said Tofin.

“We put the word out this year and said, ‘Bring what you love to drive’ so there’s going to be a little bit of everything,” she said. “There are lots of remodeled half-ton trucks. It’s going to be pretty cool.”

Among the vehicles featured will be a 1928 Ford Model A delivery street Rod, as well as a DMC DeLorean modelled after the time-travelling car featured in the 1985 hit science fiction movie Back to the Future.

Tofin said the vehicles hail from across Alberta and Saskatchewan, and she expects to see large crowds checking out the selection.

“It’s a big conversation starter,” she said. “You often hear people walking around saying, ‘I remember that car.’ It could be something that their dad had or just memories. It’s good times looking at vehicles and what they had.”

Curiosity overtakes many viewers, who love to look at engines and inquire about the restoration of older vehicles, Tofin said.

“Lots of people like to look under the hood and see what’s under there - what the horsepower is, the year of the vehicle and what’s been done to it,” she said. “It’s definitely a testosterone-driven thing when it comes to muscle cars.”

Although the event is on a smaller scale than last year, with no live music and an earlier finish time, Tofin said additional activities were cut to avoid additional costs.

“The money supports research,” she said. “The foundation is gathering information right now on what causes brain tumours and the types of tumours and that kind of thing. It’s really important to try to figure out where these tumours are coming from because we have no idea what causes them. To me that’s the most important thing.”

Money will be raised from the $15 registration fee, as well as the sale of 50/50 tickets and proceeds from the Royal Canadian Legion Turner Valley Branch pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Those in attendance are also encouraged to make a personal donation to the foundation.

Last year’s car show raised $3,100. Tofin aims to raise $5,000 this year.

Trophies for best muscle car, classic, best of show and mayor’s choice will be awarded at noon.

Preregistration closes July 22. Those interested in displaying their vehicle in the show can register on site from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. July 28 at the Oilfields Regional Arena.

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