Car Show, Ski Show at Lodge tomorrow

BY

One of Canyon Lake’s most anticipated annual events is taking place tomorrow, October 8, when more than 300 pre-1973 classic and custom cars, and trucks come rolling into the grounds of the Lodge. A new addition to the event this year is a ski show performed on the Main Lake by Canyon Lake’s own ShowCal Skiers.

The 11th annual Car Show begins at 9 a.m. The event draws hundreds of classic and vintage cars, and thousands of spectators. The Canyon Lake Car Club sponsors the event to bring the community of Canyon Lake and other surrounding car enthusiasts and spectators together, along with raising money for various charities and organizations.

The Car Show was run by the CLPOA until 2013, but the Canyon Lake Car Club has always provided show management and volunteers. The Car Club now runs the show without the financial support of the Association.

The Canyon Lake Car Club has raised more than $50,000 in the past 10 years. As a 5013c nonprofit organization, the Car Club donates its profits to various groups and causes in and outside Canyon Lake. It has given funds to the Canyon Lake Veterans Memorial, Canyon Lake Emergency Preparedness Committee, automotive scholarships to local high school students, college scholarships and park benches at the Lodge, among others.

Tomorrow’s event will feature live and silent auctions, entertainment, prize drawings and 25 vendors. Among the vendors will be four food vendors selling hamburgers, hotdogs, pulled pork, street tacos, breakfast burritos, kettle corn and ice cream. There will be three bars offering drink specials.

Car Show organizers ask that residents be sensitive to the amount of work the car collectors have put in to making their cars look so great. One scratch or dent could cost thousands of dollars.

The Lighthouse Restaurant and Bar will be open during the show, offering a breakfast buffet, special lunch menu and margarita souvenir cups.

In addition to food and merchandise vendors, there will be live and silent auctions, entertainment and prize drawings. A Mardi Gras-themed Car Show Dinner Dance will be held at 6 p.m. in the Holiday Bay Room at the Lodge; a $25 ticket is required.

There may be a few surprises and highlights at the show too. Car Show Coordinator Chuck Casey says, “This is going to be our best show yet.”

Cars will be judged by industry professionals for the top awards. These include Best Paint, Best Engine, Best of Show and the Sam Foose Award. Sam and his wife Terry are former Canyon Lake residents who have been very involved with the car show for many years. There son is Chip Foose, star of TLC’s “Overhaulin” television show. Sam and Chip designed the first Car Show logo and Terry initiated the fundraisers for Progeria research.

In other judging, awards will be given for People’s Choice and Dignitary’s Choice. Every registered participant will receive a ballot and be asked to vote on their favorite cars. Dignitaries from the City of Canyon Lake and the CLPOA also will have a chance to vote for their favorites. Awards will be announced at 3 p.m.

Ski Show

It will include skiers like Kevin Thayer and Destiny Loney Photo by Mike Clary

At 1 p.m., spectators are invited to go down to Sunset Beach and watch the ShowCal Skiers perform their season finale ski show on the Main Lake. The ShowCal Skiers are California’s only water ski show team.

Car Cruise Route

The Car Show will conclude with the traditional car cruise around the lake. Residents are invited to line the streets of the route and enjoy the cars as the car show participants cruise by.

The car cruise will begin at approximately 3:30 to 4 p.m. The cars will line up on the right side of Canyon Club Dr. and cruise from the Lodge down Canyon Club Dr. to Canyon Lake Dr., where they will turn right. The cars will continue to Village Way Dr. and turn right again. Passing Holiday Harbor, they will continue as the road turns into Loch Lomond Dr., then Sparkle Dr. When the cars reach Canyon Lake Dr. again, they will turn left and go back over the causeway and turn left on Vacation Dr. They will continue to Longhorn Dr. where they will turn left towards the Campground. From the Campground they will head back towards the Lodge.

Car Show Schedule

6 to 7 a.m. – Vendor, staff and food booth set up

7 to 9 a.m. – Participant parking / Goodie bag pickup.

9 a.m. – Gates open, car show begins.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  – Judging by attendees, pros and dignitaries.

1 p.m. – Ski Show on the Main Lake.

1:30 p.m. – Progeria charity Raffle results.

3 p.m. – Awards, raffles and 50/50 presentations.

3:30 p.m. – Cars line up for car cruise around the lake.

6 to 11 p.m. – Mardi Gras themed car show dinner dance for pre-paid ticket holders.

Event Reminders

• The CLPOA asks that spectators follow all posted signs. There will be no parking at the Lodge after midnight on Friday, October 7. Only vehicles with designated parking passes or handicapped placards will be allowed into the Lodge parking lot.
• There will be golf cart parking only between the corner of Canyon Club Dr. and Lighthouse Dr. to the stop sign entering the Lodge parking lot.
• Bicycles, scooters and skateboards are not permitted during the event. Dogs, with the exception of service dogs, are not allowed.
• The pickleball and tennis courts will be closed on October 8. Regular hours will resume on Sunday, October 9.