Engines Roar to Life: Classic Car Nights Celebrates Five Thrilling Years

Engines Roar to Life: Classic Car Nights Celebrates Five Thrilling Years - Summerside, P.E.I. – What began as a car show in 2019 with a very limited amount of cars has since evolved into one of Summerside’s most anticipated summer traditions.  The Downtown Summerside Classic Car Nights, now fun and engaging that would bring people downtown and support local businesses.

The 2025 edition of the Downtown Summerside Classic Car Nights will run every Friday night from June 27th to August 29th, weather permitting.  Water Street closed to traffic at 5:00 p.m., with entertainment and kicking off at 6:30 p.m. and running through to 9:30 p.m.  The crowd's favorite band Fall Back returns once again, delivering timeless hits from the 1950's and 60's to a dancing and cheering crowd.

The event is entirely free to attend, attracting an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people each night.  The show’s family-friendly atmosphere, combined with the dazzling variety of vehicles and live entertainment, has helped it become a fixture in Summerside’s summer calendar.  Local restaurants and businesses also see a noticeable boost in traffic on show nights, and car participants are recognized with appreciation bags and promotions.

All makes, models, and years of vehicles are welcome—there are no restrictions.  Behind the scenes, the event is funded through community donations, a weekly 50/50 draw, and local sponsorships. Businesses can support the event for a minimum sponsorship of $300, which earns them visibility through event signage and mentions across social media platforms.  The raffle and donation boxes, located near the bandstand, help cover costs for live entertainment and logistical needs, ensuring that the show remains free and accessible to all.

A team of 20 or so volunteers plays a crucial role in the event’s success, managing everything from road barricades and crowd control to operating donation stations and organizing logistics.  Volunteer support continues to be welcomed and appreciated as the show grows in size and complexity.

To capture the event’s unique energy, drone photography was used to document the spectacle from above, while local advertising on CBC Compass, courtesy of Jewellry Plus, helps spread the word across the province as this is one of Summerside's Best Free Event that should be put on everyone's calendar to take in this summer. 

 

  Air Show Atlantic 2025 was back in Summeside

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

Air Show Atlantic grew out of the Shearwater International Air Show in Dartmouth NS . Shearwater as a Navy and Air Force Base held shows regularly and adopted the name SIAS in 1981. It continued until 1995 when the Air Force across Canada stopped funding Shows and closed many bases. Like CFB Summerside. In 1996 the Nova Scotia International Air Show Association was created as a non for profit Society to produce the Show. Run by a volunteer Board and Committee. It carried on the Show at Shearwater until 2003. The Show moved to Halifax’s Stanfield Airport for 4 years. Then 2 years in Yarmouth. Back to Shearwater for the 100^th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy. Then we became the Air Show Atlantic as we moved to several Maritime locations. Summerside 4 times, Miramichi twice, Moncton, Greenwood 3 times and Debert twice over 15 years. The Show has won innovation awards from the Industry for our unique model which allows us to spread the brand and experience around the 3 Maritime Provinces.

 

  2.  This year's Air Show Atlantic had returned

      after a Seven - year  hiatus, what factors

      influenced the decision to bring the show

      back to this location and what challenges

      or opportunities this present

 Who this years Airshow Atlantic had returned to Summerside after a seven - year hiatus.

     what factors influenced the decison to bring the show back to this location, and 

Our Show’s model is one that regularly rotates around the three Provinces. We are overdue to attend Summerside due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Fans, volunteers, sponsors, and the governments on the Island are eager to see the Show return for the entertainment, for the entertainment and economic impact of the Show.

 

 

  3.  We've heard about some impressive

        Performers like the Canadian forces

        Snowbirds and CF - 18 Hornet Demo.

        Can you give us a sneak peek into any

        other exciting acts or aircraft that

        Can attendees  look forward to this year ?

 

This is the 85^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in World War Two. To help celebrate we are brining a Supermarine Spitfire, a “hero” aircraft of that battle. They are rare and expensive as the last Spitfire at a Show in The Maritimes was in 1974. Ours has a special history and restoration story you can find on our website.

 

Aerobatics will be featured as we have a variety of performance types. Solo aerobatics in a Marchetti fighter, A glider towed by a classic Nanchang Warbird in the unique “Time Flies” act that sees aerobatics while attached and solo routines. A three plane formation team in Pitts Special bi planes flown by former RCAF pilots rounds out a wild variety of aviation at its leading edge.

       Q   Air Shows are known  to have significant economic inpacts on host communities. Can  you

             share any projections or data on the expected economic impact of Air Show Atlantic 2025 on

              Summerside and the surrounding area?

             you can share any project                           

             Maritime Provinces

 

4.   A  Air shows are known to have significant economic impacts on host

        communities. Can you share any projections or data  on the expected

        economic impact of  Air Show Atlantic 2025 in Summerside

        and the surrounding area?

 

The local spend in the Community will exceed $300,000 this year. It will include hotels, rental cars, meals and equipment rentals. Our proudest expense is the over $25,000 we expect to reward volunteer groups via honourariums for their work at the Show. Air Cadet Squadrons, Community groups, school and sports clubs will share in the money we pay to our most essential resource, local volunteers. The overall impact of the Show will be over 2 million dollars to the economy as we attract over 10,000 fans to the Show over the 28^th and 29^th of June.

 

        How do you Balance the entertainment aspect of the show with

        the educational mission of promoting aviation, aerospace, and

        defense awareness in Atlantic  Canada?

 

  We rely on the public’s fascination with flight to attract them to the event. Once there they will engage with many         organizations who offer opportunities in the aviation field. Standard Aero as our presenting sponsor, is on hand to provide   employment in their growing company, an important employer in Western PEI and tenant of Slemon Park, our host facility.   Canadian Forces Recruiting, PAL Aerospace, MDS Coatings, NAV Canada and others will be on site with engaging displays   that offer opportunities to the attendees.   

 

        Safety is paramount in airshows. Can you walk us through some of

        the key  safety  measures and regulations you're implementing this

        year's  event particularly in light of the latest best practices?

 

As a member of the International Council of Air Shows, Air Show Atlantic is committed to the safety first approach our industry practices. The Show is a rehearsed display that is planned out by our Air Operations team. It is led by a professional “Air Boss’ who conducts the Show under regulations by Transport Canada and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The aerobatic flying is all done in a large Aerobatic safety “box” over the airport property. We ensure it is sterile and ensure that no crowds gather in places other than the spectator area. Crowds on a road or property can create a hazard and cause the Show to be stopped. It is important that performers do their routines the same way each time, so we don’t alter the Show area with a secondary spectator area where the planes might be over an unexpected crowd.