Daily Dose — Road Kings Car Show Returning to the Streets of Nelson
By Ari Lord
Like many in-person events that have been shelved during the past two COVID-19 years , the Nelson Road Kings are excited and ready to host the 2022 Queen City Cruise September 9-10 in the Heritage City.
And President Marcello Piro of the Nelson Road Kings says the enthusiasm for the car show is bubbling at a record high this year.
“People are super stoked about being able to get out and about again," Piro said on the eve of the 2022 Road Kings Queen City Cruise.
"We have registrants coming as far away as Medicine Hat, Saskatchewan, Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and the Shuswap area, Idaho and Washington. I think it’s going to be big.”
In addition to the usual event, the Road Kings volunteers are raising money for the local hospital.
“We’ve taken on a huge undertaking this year, an engine raffle which will see all proceeds go towards the hospital foundation to buy an ECG machine,” says Piro.
“We’ve raised over $20,000 and probably by the end of the show, we’ll be at $30,000.”
The Nelson Road Kings, run entirely by volunteers, has been getting ready for the event.
“Everybody’s a volunteer on our committee. The last few weeks are always busy trying to get volunteers in place and people phoning and asking questions and all kinds of things,” says Piro.
Volunteers have travelled to car shows from Trail to Grand Forks to Kimberly, selling tickets for the raffle. And the efforts have paid off.The group is well on their way to its goal.
“The estimated cost of the machine is $25,000, but everything that we make above and beyond will go to the hospital foundation. We are currently sold out. We met our goal of two thousand tickets at $10 each.”
The public can expect a jam-packed two days of entertainment and a wide variety of cars lining the streets of downtown Nelson.
“The car show is coming together well. It’s nice to see the variety at our show,” says Piro.
The Queen City Cruise kicks off Friday with registration at the Nelson Chamber of Commerce in Railtown. The parade of vehicles begins at 6 p.m. from Railtown through downtown Nelson before concluding at the Dairy Queen on Nelson Avenue.
Saturday, cars begin filling Baker Street in Nelson with the Show & Shine starting at 10 a.m..
There is live music with Trophy and Prize presentations at 3:30 p.m.
The Poker Run along Nelson's scenic North Shore concludes weekend.
Some of the entertainment highlights include a range of local performers.
“We have live music featuring Dallas, who is always a hit, Rob Funk, Don McDonald and Sydney Black, and the Baker Street Blues, who will be singing and entertaining on Baker Street from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.," Piro explained.
"We have also joined forces with the Beverage Society, which will have a tasting event on Hall Street on the day of the show. There's a whole bunch of things going on."
Piro is impressed by the local response to the event.
“Downtown businesses have been amazing. Local businesses have supported us in so many ways.”
Piro is what you would call a very dedicated 18-year volunteer with the Road Kings. He was a director before stepping into his role as president.
“We have a great group of directors. They’re all volunteering their time, it’s pretty nice. We have volunteers on top of that, and anybody who wants to volunteer is welcome to email us.”
The group is still seeking volunteers to staff intersections for Friday evening’s parade, which will run from the Nelson Chamber of Commerce, down Baker, to the Dairy Queen.
Anyone interested in assisting should email: info@NelsonRoadKings.com for more information.
Piro encourages the public to stop by the event, which he says is supported by some wonderful local sponsors.
“Come on out, enjoy everything, ask questions, take pictures, whatever you like to do. And if anybody wants to make a donation towards the hospital foundation, they are welcome to do that as well.”
Downtown Nelson is once again expected to be filled with spectators flocking to the 2022 Queen City Cruise.
Cars, trucks and plenty of vehicles will be on display.
