COVID restrictions are such a drag. (Haha, dad joke.)
The annual drag races are cancelled this year. But the Port Alberni Drag Racing Association (AVDRA) wants to make sure we can still have some fun.
Credit: https://albernidragracing.com/
This year, they’re holding a Charity Cruise. Not the kind of cruise where everyone gets on a boat and eats too much shrimp. This cruise is a tour through town.
AVDRA vice-president Dave Beecroft says that all money raised will go to two local causes.
The first is the Tseshaht First Nation’s residential school fundraiser.
“They have gone through tremendous sorrow with the stories coming out about the residential school tragedies,” Beecroft told Alberni Valley News. “We would like to help them out with their project to create a monument to commemorate those who attended these schools and those who never made it home.”
The second is the fundraiser for the West Coast General Hospital Foundation’s emergency room expansion.
Drivers who want to participate in the cruise are asked to pay $30 per car. AVDRA will be split the money between the two local causes. In addition, the first 300 drivers will get a Thunder in the Valley Charity Cruise t-shirt, and everyone gets a decal for their car.
There has also been a challenge to all racers to match the “General’s” pledge of $100.
And you don’t have to have a classic car to join. Old cars, new cars, beater cars — everyone is welcome.
Drivers are asked to come to the parking lot at the Alberni Athletic Hall after 6 p.m. to register and line up. The cruise will start at 7 p.m. and end around 45 minutes later in the Boston Pizza parking lot at 3550 Johnston Road.
There is a map of the route on page A4 of the Aug. 4, 2021, printed version of the Alberni Valley News.
Beecroft said they chose this route to take drivers all through the city and past the former Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS) site.
Beecroft also asks all drivers to be respectful when driving through Tseshaht First Nation land and around the AIRS site.
“Please be respectful as we circle past the site of the old residential school and do not do any burnouts or squeal tires,” he said.
