Cops invite Sault car enthusiasts to Bellevue Park

Sault Police officers involved in organizing the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games, to be held in Sault Ste. Marie Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2019, are getting pumped about the games, though winter seems far away as we enjoy late summer weather.

Sault Police will hold their first ever Cops and Rodders classic car show as a fundraiser for the games at Bellevue Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 (rain date is Sept. 9).

“The park hasn’t had a car show for as long as I can remember, so it’s a nice setting for it,” said Sault Police Cst. Joe Addison, speaking to SooToday Wednesday.

“It’s 20 dollars per vehicle to register, and cars, trucks and bikes are welcome.”

Trophies will be awarded for the Top 10 vehicles and the fans choice of best vehicles.

Highland Ford is the primary sponsor of the event, having provided a monetary donation as well paying for the trophies.

Top 10 vehicles will be chosen by Special Olympics athletes who will serve as judges, Addison said, based on their own personal preferences.

Members of the general public in attendance will cast ballots for fans choice of best vehicles.

Admission is free (though donations are welcome for the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games), with live music and prizes at the event.

Donated prizes have been provided by both local and out-of-town businesses, Addison said, including gift cards, hats and other products from LMC Truck, ramps from U.S. company Race Ramps to be used for vehicle display and maintenance, as well as many other prizes.

“We’ve got lots of nice little swag to give out,” Addison said.

No pre-registration from vehicle owners is necessary. Vehicle registration may be done on site at Bellevue Park as early as 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.

Addison said Sault Police vehicles, including the always popular Ballistic Armoured Tactical Transport (BATT) vehicle, motorcycles and the new Sault Police 4 wheelers will also be on display.

Sault Police Auxiliary Unit officers will also be on hand to greet the public.

100 per cent of the proceeds from the Cops and Rodders classic car show (registration costs for each vehicle), Addison said, will go to the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games.

The Cops and Rodders classic car show idea originates from the Hamilton Police Service, Addison said, Special Olympics being the charity of choice for the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

“This is one of many initiatives we’re putting on throughout the year to help bring Special Olympics athletes to the city so they can enjoy and participate in the games in our town,” said Addison, who told us he will have his own 1932 Ford Roadster and 1952 Ford truck included in the Sept. 8 show.