IN MEMORY OF……

Over the years we have had many people involved with our event and some of those folks have played a pivotal role in it’s success. We would like to remember those individuals for their dedication to the Peach City Beach Cruise.

Ken Paton: (1938-2011)

From the racetrack to the car lots, to walking around the farmers market, Ken was known in all areas of Penticton. In 2000, then Mayor Beth Campbell approached Ken to see if he could organize “a little car show” to kick off summer. He spent the next several months finding people to help him organize the 1st Peach City Beach Cruise in 2001. Since then, Ken’s car show has grown to be one of the best, if not the best, car show in BC and Western Canada. Sadly, we lost Ken in 2011 but the board continued to hold the Peach City Beach Cruise and watch it grow into his dream. In 2011, the City of Penticton made the Friday of the event, Ken Paton Day in the city.
Read More about Ken Paton – Click Here!

Wally Hild: (1946-2015)

It was hard to be at any event in Penticton and not run into Wally. He loved to be a part of the action and his voice was perfect for not only radio but to MC shows. He was a writer and beat Hodgkin’s Disease with determination to compete in Ironman Canada Triathlon. It was his friendship with Ken and love for classic cars that made Wally and Ken the perfect team to start organizing the Peach City Beach Cruise. Wally was the Vice President of the show until he chose to step down and moved to the Coast not long after with this family. Unfortunately, we lost Wally in 2015 but his memory lives on.

Lorna Lyons (2015)

You couldn’t be at the car show or call the information line and not meet or know Lorna.
She was Ken’s partner in everything and knew more about the back staging of the car show than most. While not a director, as Ken’s life partner, she loved the car show and all the people that attended. You could call her, and she knew what motels/hotels had room, what time everything took place, how much things cost. She was our website before we had a website. Her love for her 66 Charger was apparent as was her love for her family. She stayed involved with the Peach City Beach Cruise until she passed in 2015.

Andrina Calvert (1954 – 2022)

Known as “Penticton’s Angel”, Andrina was involved in so many avenues of Penticton that it seemed like she was everywhere. If you were lucky enough to have her on your board or in your group, then you were guaranteed to have the most organized and qualified person to take care of every administrative item. We were so blessed to have Andrina join our board of directors for the Peach City Beach Cruise and there were no details she couldn’t tackle. Her smile was one of pure happiness and we were so sad when she passed after a brave fight with leukemia in 2022.

Jim Bailey (1949 – 2022)

If the sun was out and the weather was nice or if it was a nice night for a Cruise, chances are you would see the big white 1966 Cadillac convertible coming down Lakeshore Drive with Jim behind the wheel. Jim loved his family and if you were his friend then he was a true friend. Jim was a proud co-Creator and director of the Peach City Beach Cruise for 20 years. Many early mornings and late nights were spent to ensure all enjoyed the show, making sure the PCBC was a success each year. Jim’s passion for cars started at a young age and allowing for many friendships to flourish over the years. His love for cars, car shows and the city in which he lived in showed in is dedication to the Peach City Beach Cruise. We miss Jim and his smile that reached his eyes.