Today, September 13, Loyalist College automotive programs are hosting their sixth consecutive Show and Shine event on campus. Hot rods, muscle cars, trucks and race cars are polished to the max as proud owners exhibit modern and vintage vehicles. The event is taking place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. outside the Peter F. Huff Automotive Centre, part of Loyalist’s Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre, at the main campus on Wallbridge-Loyalist Road.
“The Loyalist Show and Shine event keeps growing,” says Ann Drennan, Dean of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology. “Participants and guests reserve the date well in advance, eager to be a part of this automotive showcase. This is a shared passion that brings people together. The work that goes into restoring and maintaining these vehicles is significant and the owners take great pride in sharing their stories with guests who attend the show.”
Both the cars’ owners and those who come to admire them are encouraged to treat themselves to a mini-spa provided by students in the College’s Esthetics and Spa Management program, as well as delicious food prepared by Loyalist Culinary students. Automotive students are holding a 50/50 draw with proceeds going towards a November trip to SEMA, the internationally renowned Specialty Equipment Market Association conference in Las Vegas. SEMA has invited Loyalist students to participate in its student placement program for the past eight years – the only College automotive program in Canada to participate.
“Our Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre is an amazing facility,” explains Professor Steve Cook, coordinator of this year’s show. “We are able to give our Motive Power students and Automotive apprentices learning opportunities that replicate experiences they will encounter in the industry, preparing them to enter their field with confidence.”
“Show and Shine is a wonderful opportunity for the College to engage with our community,” adds Dean Drennan. “Proud vehicle owners come together, share stories and experiences; guests and students see past and present automobiles; and our excellent faculty has a chance to show off our outstanding facilities and talk about our Automotive programming. There is something for everyone to experience, including culinary and spa treats. It’s a truly wonderful event.”
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Guests are encouraged to tour the College’s automotive facilities and have their questions answered about programming at the College.
Loyalist College offers Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship training as well as a one-year certificate and two-year diploma program in Motive Power. For more information about training for an Automotive career at Loyalist, contact Professor Cook at scook@loyalistc.on.ca.