ABOUT US – PENTICTON HISTORICAL AUTOMOBILE SOCIETY
One day in 2000, then Mayor Beth Campbell approached well known “car guy”, Ken Paton about an idea to kick off summer in Penticton.
She wondered if Ken could organize a small car show event as a summer season tourist event opener. Ken said he thought that he could do something and set to asking a couple of friends to help him. He recruited Wally Hild, a very well-known personality in Penticton along with Jim Bailey, a longtime friend to see what they could do.
In 2001 the 1st Penticton Historical Automobile Society was held the weekend after Father’s Day in June. There seemed to be something special about the show and it was decided to do it once again the following year.
The next show was held at Skaha Lake, nice setting, easy to drive there. Some entertainment and more cars came to participate. Nice to see it growing in interest. The show continued to grow, and Ken knew more space was going to be needed if the event was going to expand. This is when moving down to Okanagan Lake was brought up and the city gave us permission to hold the show down along Lakeshore Drive.
With the event growing the need for a board of directors was needed and a name for the show was decided upon, The Peach City Beach Cruise was born. The board of directors back then was a group of local Penticton residents that had a love of cars and the community.
As word of our show spread the car count continued to grow. We were so amazed when we had 300 cars one year only to see 400 the next. I remember the year we hit 600 and we had to figure out a maximum number of cars we could hold. 850 was our top number that we came to, and I don’t think we thought we would hit that, until Dennis Gage was announced as our special guest. The first time he came to our show we had 850 registered vehicles before the event. It was an emotional weekend, and Ken was so proud to show off the event and the city of Penticton.
As our event grew, we always made sure that we gave back to the community. Every year we donate our profits to local charities and to school programs. The Ken Paton, Peach City Beach Cruise bursary is given each year to the student that shows the highest desire to continue their education in mechanics and automotive related schooling. We have also donated to the Starfish Program, the OSNS, the Good News Bears, and several other groups in the Penticton Area.
We also proudly have the Penticton Fire Fighters at our show each year for two days to hold their pancake breakfast. This is a big fundraiser for them, and we support them in every way possible. Our show is open to all types of vehicles, age, type, model, if you love your vehicle and want to register it, please do. Over the years we have had motorcycles, electric vehicles, big rigs, steam powered tractors, rat rods, custom, classic, stock original, car clubs, and we welcome ideas for new additions to the show.
When we lost Ken in 2011, we didn’t know if the show would or should continue. Ken had Ron Muzzillo step in as President of the board when he could no longer be involved. As a board we all came together to decide if we could continue the show without Ken, our decision was that we had to continue in honour of Ken. We had to carry on with his dream. The City of Penticton even named the Friday of our event to be known as “Ken Paton Day” in the city. Such an honour and we are proud of that accomplishment.
Ron did an amazing job as President of the Beach Cruise for several years and when he stepped down to an advisor role, Wayne Wood became the President and brought so much organization and order to the board that each of our jobs became more structured. He looked after so much of the back end of the event, looked after our webpage, answered a million questions, he did an amazing job. He stepped down after the 2023 show.
Now how do we continue to have this event each year? Along with the incredible people who register their vehicles for our show, the sponsors who step up and help us out financially and with donations are the backbone of the event. We appreciate every one of the businesses and individuals who help us.
Then of course we depend on the enormous number of volunteers who give us hours of time each year. They are everywhere you look, and they deserve to be commended for what they do. As early as 4 am they are out setting up, then in the heat of the day they are staffing the barricades, working the gates, helping with registration, directing traffic, and into the night, they are emptying garbage, helping the entertainment pack up, it is an endless amount of help that we need, and they come through.
In order to have a 3 day show we know that we have to offer more than just the cars to see. We have a park filled with vendors who are selling all varieties of food and drink. There is a beverage garden for those over 19 to sit, visit and listen to a variety of entertainment. Evenings are filled with show stopping entertainers who get the dance floor jumping.
This is an ever-evolving event, and some ideas have come and gone. As time passes, we like to offer something new that will keep people coming back. We are proud that we have people register their vehicles from down into the United States, as far away as Texas, California, Arizona, Washington and from the provinces of Canada. We want to make sure it is worth the drive. We want people to bring their friends the next year.
As we enter our preparations for the 23rd Annual Peach City Beach Cruise we want to make sure that everyone who has been a part of our show, our history, our success, and our future know how valued you are.
The City of Penticton, the City Staff, The Western, Castanet, the BC Government, all our sponsors, every volunteer, the many people who have sat on the board of directors over the years, the current board of directors, the participants; you are the show, THANK YOU! We look forward to many more years bringing the beautiful vehicles to be seen along the most gorgeous backdrop of Okanagan Lake in Penticton.
Thank you for being a part of history.
President’s Message
Welcome to the 23rd Peach City Beach Cruise. The board of directors and I want to say how excited we are to be back at BC’s premier car show. we hope that each and everyone of you have the greatest experience over the next three days.
A special thank you to the board of directors who have spent hours, days, weeks, and months working and planning to make this event the success it is.
Along with the Mayor and Council, we also thank the local RCMP, Travel Penticton and all other organizations that have stepped forward to help us.
The event is based on the love of the automobile and without all the registrants who bring their pride to show, this event is an empty street…..Thank you for your support.
The volunteers, in the heat, at night, after long shifts answering questions, walking miles upon miles, we are so grateful for all you do for us and the City of Penticton. If you see a volunteer this weekend, stop and thank them.
Our sponsors are those businesses and private people who step up and financially and “in-kind” donate to our event. Without them our show would not be to the level it is.
Please don’t forget that Friday is “Ken Paton Day”, decreed by the City of Penticton and it is with great pride that We continue his dream. Stop at his bench located in Rotary Park and take a picture.
Sincerely,
Donna Reimann, President
