The annual Summer Cruise, hosted by Mile Zero Car Cruisers Club, is springing back to life in 2022 after two dormant years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health orders. Between 2016 and 2019, Northern Development has invested $15,000 into the annual car celebration through the Fabulous Festivals and Events program.
The $5,000 grant in 2019 was used to increase their marketing efforts and reach outlying areas via weekly advertisements in local/area newspapers and radio advertisements. This bolstered advertising budget was effective, and the Mile Zero Car Cruisers Club had a record-breaking weekend with 531 registered participants for the Sunday car show. On Saturday, they held the 2nd Annual Burnout Competition which attracted over 1,000 spectators to watch 70 cars smoke their tires.
“This grant allowed us to improve the overall cruise experience,” said Dean Good, president, Mile Zero Cruisers Car Club. “It extended our reach much further and enabled us to have the ability to provide more specialized services for the entire weekend by freeing up dollars that would normally be spent on promoting the show. It helped us showcase what the club has done over the past 25 years and really put on one unforgettable show for our 25th Anniversary Cruise.”
The weekend event is a significant draw for car enthusiasts from Canada and the United States, with people from more than 50 communities migrating to Dawson Creek for the show and its festivities. Organizers estimate that approximately 5,000 people attended the free car show, with 65 per cent of attendees coming from outside of Dawson Creek. As a result, this event stimulates the local economy through the sales of lodging, food, gas and other supplies to visitors.
Northern Development supports this event, and other festivals in its service region, through the Fabulous Festivals and Events grant program. Funding is available to registered non-profit organizations who host unique festivals and events that contribute to local service sector revenues and promote Northern B.C. as a tourism destination. Grant applications to this fund are continuously accepted and funding is available for 2022 events.
