Classic Cars & Old Fashioned Bicycles

On Sunday, August 16th, Upper Canada Village and the Cornwall Olde Car Club will be presenting the 14th annual Antique Car Show from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Not only are over 500 vintage vehicles expected to gather for the event, but visitors will also be able to try a couple of very interesting pedal-powered modes of transportation for themselves, PLUS LOTS MORE!

The Antique Car Show will feature a collection of antique and classic cars from a variety of clubs throughout the region, alongside a special display of 19th century wagons and carriages. These vintage vehicles will be on display for public viewing west of the miniature train outside of Upper Canada Village. Owners of antique or classic cars are welcome to participate in the show; registration will take place from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon for a fee of $10. The first 300 cars to register the day of the event will receive a collector car plaque.

Visitors will also be able to participate in the Spectator’s Choice Award throughout the day and a number of different trophies will be awarded at a special ceremony at 3:00 p.m. Admission to the Antique Car Show outside of the Village is FREE.

Just in time for the Antique Car Show, the Village is now offering rides on a new “Classic Coach Cycle”, a quadracycle custom-built in the style of an old-fashioned carriage. This eye-catching, eco-friendly and healthy form of transportation is fun to ride, and visitors can take it for a half-hour or full hour tour around Crysler Park for $10 or $15 respectively. (The Classic Coach Cycle is constructed from two adjoined bicycles, with a fibre-glass carriage-style canopy overhead, and a seat for a child in the back.)

The Miniature Train outside the Village will also be in operation during the event, where visitors can hop on board for a round trip through Crysler Park to Crysler Beach and back. Round trip fare is only $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for Youths and $2.50 for children.

New this year, Upper Canada Village now offers Penny Farthing rides for visitors wanting to test their luck at maneuvering a late 19th century-style bicycle. Dave Dobbie, Manager of Upper Canada Village, explains, “The Penny Farthing earned its name because its large front wheel looks like a British penny leading a smaller farthing coin (the tiny back wheel). As the two-wheeled Penny Farthing replica can be quite a challenge to ride, we also have a three-wheeled version of this 19th century bicycle on hand to make the experience easier for visitors to try.” Cost to rent the penny farthing is $5 or twenty minutes; rides will be available outside of the Village during the Antique Car Show. As an enhancement to the Car Show, visitors can also choose to make a visit to Upper Canada Village part of their day (regular Village admission fees apply), where they can learn about the progression of various modes of travel in the Transportation Museum housed in one of the barns at Loucks Farm. The museum has a fascinating collection of historic vehicles, including a 19th century hearse. While exploring the rest of the Village, visitors will be able to witness the transportation of an 1860s rural community in action. Upper Canada Village also offers a number of opportunities for visitors to “experience” 19th century transportation for themselves. New this year, children 12 and under can hop onto a wooden wagon being pulled by the Village’s own gentle giants, “Buck and Barney”; these oxen cart rides are only $3 for a short trip around the farms. In keeping with tradition, visitors can also tour the entire site on a horse-drawn carry-all. This large covered wagon provides comfortable seating for up to 20 people at a time, and is the ideal way of getting from one end of the Village to the other. Rides run regularly throughout the day, and are included in the Village admission fee. Also included are leisurely rides on the horse-drawn tow scow along the Village canal. Seating up to 60 people at a time, the tow scow is a flat hulled barge that is drawn along the canal several times each day by a horse walking along the bank. Two villagers (one at the bow, and one at the stern) help steer the scow using long poles. Upper Canada Village is one of Canada’s foremost award-winning living history attractions, featuring more than 40 heritage buildings on 100 acres along the St. Lawrence River. Considered a “gem” by AAA/CAA and the recipient of the “highest distinction” 3-star rating by the Michelin Travel Guide, Upper Canada Village immerses guests in 19th century life, with more than a dozen demonstrated trades, a working 1860s flour mill and bakery, cheese-making, and heritage farming, including 19th century plant varieties, as well as Canadian horses and Berkshire pigs, both rare breeds. © 1996, WEBtechFor more information, call 1-800-437?2233 (543-4328 locally) or visit our website at www.uppercanadavillage.com.

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