The Langley Good Times Cruise-In will return to Aldergrove this year, with a few changes and some lessons learned.
In 2017, the long-running Langley car show relocated from its original home of Langley City and headed for the opposite end of the Langleys.
There are several changes coming after the Cruise-In’s organizers have had a chance to consider what worked and what didn’t last year, said Cruise-In president Wayne Patterson.
Changes to the show space and parking will be among the biggest changes.
“We’re only shutting down Fraser Highway from 264th Street to 272nd,” said Patterson.
Last year, more of Aldergrove’s core was shut down, but pulling back a bit to the west will allow traffic to move more smoothly, Patterson said.
It also reduces some issues with putting up signs in Abbotsford warning drivers about the upcoming detour.
The staging area will be relocated, with Old Yale Road serving as this year’s staging area.
Parking will be availabel at the largely-empty Aldergrove Mall, which will put more spaces for visitors closer to the action, and this year’s marketplace and swap meet will be held at the Aldergrove Legion.
“It’s basically trying to make it a little simpler for everybody,” Patterson said.
The overall hope is that the changes will free up parking, reduce walking distance for visitors, and simplify traffic.
Last year there were more than 700 cars taking part in the Cruise-In, somewhat down from the usual total and below the 1,100 they’re hoping for this year.
While the move from Langley City to Aldergrove was contentious with a few, a bigger problem was the weather on the day of the show last year – buckets of rain.
“The weather put a damper on how many cars showed up,” he said.
However, crowds were still sizable despite the downpour, turning Aldergrove’s downtown into a “sea of umbrellas,” Patterson said. Overall, they got positive feedback from visitors and participants.
As far as non-car attractions, many old favourites are back, including the In & Out Burger location and Elvis Elite performing from the main stage.
There will be a new celebrity as well, with Jimmy Shine, host of car programs like Car Warriors and American Icon: The Hot Rod appearing this year.
Aside from wishing for better weather, Patterson is hoping to get a few more volunteers over the summer to help with Cruise-In tasks such as parking and setting up barricades on the day of the event.
A smoothly-running Cruise-In will help raise money for its two primary charities, the Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association, and the Langley Community Support Group Society.
Information on how to volunteer for the Cruise-In can be found on www.langleycruise-in.com.
