A Sarnia car club that regularly supports local charities during its shows opted to back St. Vincent de Paul and the International Symphony Orchestra during Sunday’s event in downtown Sarnia.
“We’re super lucky that they chose us,” said Anthony Wing, the orchestra’s executive director.
Houston Silverthorne, president of the Sarnia Street Cruisers, said the organization needed the support as it was closed for a long time amid the pandemic. Wing said that’s the only way they managed to survive.
“We continue to see support from the community because that’s how we operate,” he said.
Donations were collected inside a tent stationed on Christina Street North.
Another way they found community support was through an exhibit inside the nearby ISObar featuring the work of local music photographer Richard Beland.
“I don’t know anybody else who became a gallerist and a bar manager in order to support an orchestra,” Wing said.
The exhibit initially featured 30 pieces of Beland’s work, but a gallery in Toronto offered to more than double the collection.
“All those rock star posters and pictures in there are fantastic,” Silverthorne said.
It was unveiled in June and will conclude Friday with a final reception.
“It’ll dovetail with the orchestra beginning to rehearse again,” Wing said.
The semi-professional orchestra will be gearing up for a seven-concert season of in-person concerts, he said.
Sunday’s event was the final of three Weekend Walkabout events – scaled back from every weekend during the summer of 2021 – organized by a local committee. Christina Street North was closed between George and Davis streets – side streets remained open – from 6 pm Friday, for First Friday, through 6 pm Sunday.
Silverthorne said they had close to 80 cars show up, including a collection of Ferraris, for people to check out while they roamed Christina Street North.
“It’s been on the edge of rain for the morning, but people have still shown up,” Wing said.
While food donations were collected for St. Vincent de Paul, people were also able to purchase food, including cruiser club member Franco Gabriele’s cinnamon sticks.
“Those things are delicious,” Silverthorne said. “His mom makes the dough and he makes the sticks. It’s awesome.”
Later this fall the cruisers will be hosting a trunk-or-treat Halloween event at Hiawatha Horse Park for children and Community Living Sarnia-Lambton.