WINDSOR, N.S. — For the 10th year in a row, King’s-Edgehill School’s historic campus will serve as a fitting backdrop for the showcase of upwards of 150 antique British vehicles.
The widely popular British Motoring Festival rolls into Windsor July 12-14, with the event being open to the public on July 13.
Rod MacArthur, a longtime festival-goer and club member, is helping organize the festival. He’s also involved with a new youth initiative this year that’s geared to get future auto aficionados interested in the hobby.
“This youth judging event is going to be quite interesting, I think,” said MacArthur.
For the first time in the event’s history, about a dozen young people between the ages of six and 14 years will be armed with clipboards and judging sheets and will attempt to evaluate a group of cars on the show field. The judges will focus on the interiors and exteriors, what’s under the hood, and will ask the owners a number of questions.
The purpose of the competition, which is sponsored by Hagerty Insurance, is to engage the next generation of car collectors, MacArthur said.
“It is an attempt to get younger people involved with the old car hobby,” said MacArthur.
MacArthur, who lives in Bedford, has Valley roots, growing up in Berwick and living in Annapolis Royal for about 30 years.
MacArthur has been enamoured with vehicles since he was little, and currently owns a 1973 MGB GT, which he will be driving to Windsor for the festival. The right-hand model was imported from the United Kingdom and MacArthur transformed it into left-hand drive. He also owns a Jaguar XJ 12 from 1990. Over the decades, he’s bought and sold old cars, repaired some and built kits as well.
“It's not a money making proposition. It's money losing. But it's enjoyable,” said MacArthur with a chuckle.
Car show participants will start arriving in Windsor July 12, and will be treated to a private reception.
The public is invited to visit the car show at KES from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13. There will be live entertainment, activities for children, food trucks on site and, of course, countless vehicles shined up and ready to be admired.
“There's so many things to do in Nova Scotia in the summertime and such a short period of time to do it,” said MacArthur, noting that anyone with an interest in older vehicles will probably enjoy a trip to the British Motoring Festival.
Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for youth aged six to 16 years, and free for children under five years of age. Half of the proceeds raised will be donated to the Hants County Rugby Football Club.
Following the public portion of the day’s activities, there will be a banquet and award presentation. Car show participants will also be treated to a breakfast as they head out of town July 14.
If you go
What: 10th British Motoring Festival
Where: King’s-Edgehill School campus, 33 Kings Edgehill Lane, Windsor
When: July 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: Grounds open to the public at 10 a.m., the official opening ceremony takes place at 11 a.m., valve cover races take place at 2 p.m. and the public portion of the event wraps up at 4 p.m. To find out more or to register an old British vehicle for the event, visit: http://www.britishmotoringfestival.com.
