RetroFest returned as an in-person event Saturday as COVID-19 restrictions have virtually disappeared and thousands of people poured into see the hundreds of classic cars that filled downtown Chatham.
Nobody was happy to see RetroFest return in person than classic car owners.
Neal Hendrie, 81, of Chatham, who brought his 1959 Ford retractable hardtop, said, “After two years it’s good to be out.”
A long-time member of the Kent Historic Auto Club, Hendrie said he’s participated in RetroFest since it began.
He’s owned his Ford retractable hardtop since 1995.
“I like the retractable hardtops and when I got the chance to buy one, I bought it,” he said.
But, it’s not his only classic car.
Hendrie still owns the 1930 Ford Model A Coupe he bought for $200 from his neighbour, at age 17, to drive to the former Chatham Collegiate Institute.
When asked if the vehicle made the girls go wild, Hendrie said just the opposite.
Noting the former Victoria Residence long-term care home was located around the corner from CCI, he laughed, “The old guys would stand on the corner pointing their canes saying, ‘I used to have one of them.’”
Darren Soucie was proudly displaying his 1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia that has a long tradition in his family.
“My day had a Karmann Ghia when he was younger, so I grew up knowing about them,” he said.
Soucie bought a Karmann Ghia convertible after finishing college in 1986 and made a lot of memories with the vehicle.
“I met my wife in it, we dated, got married, and when the kids were young in 1998 we needed a second car, so grudgingly I sold it.”
When he retired, he went looking for his beloved Karmann Ghia and found it in Barrie. Soucie asked the owner if he was interested and selling and a few years ago he bought it back after more than 20 years.
It’s been a few years waiting for RetroFest to return, but Soucie said, “This is great to finally have it back.”
Saturday was the first time Gino Delciancio, of Leamington, has brought his beloved 1955 Chevy Belair to RetroFest.
He recalled wanting a Belair ever since he first sat in one at age five, while his mom worked on a farm.
He bought a Belair at age 17 and restored it, then sold it after 25 years.
“I regretted it, then I got this one,” Delciancio said.
“It’s a real joy to drive,” he added.
Delciancio was impressed with his first time at RetroFest.
“There are a lot of different cars, it’s a beautiful show,” he said.
Ron Rumble, of Chatham, has often come to RetroFest to see all the vehicles.
But, Saturday was the first time he’s been in show, bringing his 1967 Chevy C-10 pickup truck that is equipped with wheelchair lift so he can drive it.
Noting the vehicle was already retrofitted when he bought it, Rumble said, “The cab has been made bigger to accept the wheelchair lift in it.”
He said it was much different being in the show, adding he had a great spot.
Several people were stopping to ask him about the vehicle.
RetroFest is organized by the Downtown Chatham BIA.
Connie Beneteau, with the BIA, was pleased with how the return to an in-person event turned out.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather this year,” she said. “It’s absolutely perfect and the people have come out in droves.
“Everybody seems happy to be out again,” she added.
Saturday also marked the return of Miss RetroFest to the stage of the Kiwanis Bandshell in Chatham’s Tecumseh Park.
Vanessa Young-Tome, known in Retro circles at Vintage Vanessa, won the Miss RetroFest 2022 title.
“I’m very surprised that I won, actually,” said the Kingsville resident.
Young-Tome got into Retro about nine years ago when a photographer friend wanted to build a portfolio and asked her to do some Retro photos.
“It literally just blossomed from there,” she said.
She added Miss RetroFest is really the only contest of its kind in the region, noting she would have to travel to Quebec or Las Vegas to compete in other events.
“Nobody else does this locally, so this really unique, it’s really neat to be a part of.”
Chatham’s own “pageant girl” Melanie Renaud, who is the reigning Miss Galaxy Canada, has served as director of Miss RetroFest for the last two years.
“I really wanted to be part of something happening during COVID and having that fun of RetroFest still being alive. . . so I came as the director of Miss RetroFest.”
She said it was her first time directing a pageant and it was a lot of fun.
“I would love to be a part of it again,” Renaud said. “I think it’s a great event.”
