The Langley Good Times Cruise-In is an important event for Langley.
Where it takes place is much less important.
The Cruise-In has taken place every year but one since 1997. It has grown to become one of the largest car shows in NorthAmerica – one that has no entry fee. And yet, this volunteer-run event has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to localcharities.
The charities are the most crucial part of the Cruise-In. Keeping the cash flowing means keeping costs down. That makes theCruise-In board’s decision to head east to Aldergrove this year a simple one.
Beyond that, the only things that matter should be whether the car show is safe, fun, and family friendly.
Moving to Aldergove will have some pluses and minuses.
Langley City’s merchants will certainly miss the free exposure, but Aldergrove’s have been dying for this kind of spotlight foryears. The community has always been a bit of a step-child within Langley, farther east and south and less likely to gatherattention than its larger neighbours.
There will no doubt be issues with parking, traffic, and detours on the day of the event.
But if anywhere can accommodate a car show, it should be Aldergrove. It’s close to long, open country roads, and it’s thehome of the last drive-in movie theatre in the Lower Mainland.
City and Township may not be politically united, but Langley is still Langley.
-M.C.