Okanagan’s bustling car scene connected by events all summer long

Next time you’re out and about in the Okanagan in the summertime keep your eyes peeled for some fancy rides and hot rods, you’re bound to see a few.

The region has a huge car scene. There are non-stop car shows all summer long, Das Weekend and West Kelowna World of Wheels were this past weekend. Then there’s races like the Knox Mountain Hill Climb and the Big White Winter Rally. And don’t forget about the iconic reality show Rust Valley Restorers shot in Tappen in the Shuswap, or the massive biennial Okanagan Dream Rally for charity.

Pam Cunningham has helped organize the classic car show West Kelowna World of Wheels for 16 years and she said people in the Okanagan have a real passion for working on their cars and events help connect people to grow the scene.

“I had a gentleman who had his father’s car. Father passed away. This was last year. He actually incorporated his father’s ashes into the paint of the car,” she said. “Crazy, but cool. Well, now you can never get rid of the car. It could be the family forever now.”

World of Wheels had a kid zone, beer garden, and music so Cunningham said folks get a sense of community out of car shows.

“People reminisce, bring back memories, families go together. For us too, our car show is more of a community event,” she said.

Any car enthusiast will tell you that fixing up a car, getting it sparkly and show ready is a lot of work. Cunningham said gathering dozens of cars and the people who work on them in a field for a show is an opportunity to compare notes, share experiences and get some positive feedback.

“All the car guys are really close together now, right? They’re not spread out down the street or what not. And so they can all sit and yak and what are you working on? Where’d you get that? Who do you get your parts from?” Cunningham said.

It’s an expensive hobby and the Okanagan’s higher than average income bracket contributes to how many people in the area can afford to go all in on their ride.

Central Okanagan’s median household income after taxes was $88,000 a year and the country’s was $73,000 in 2020, according to Statistics Canada.

“There are a lot of gentlemen who really enjoy the hobby of working on a car. It’s not for everyone, it’s not cheap,” she said.

Cunningham said the car show has been growing over the past 16 years and the scene shows no sign of slowing down.

Click here for a calendar of car events in the Okanagan.