Blockapaloooza retrospective
A TRIP BACK IN TIME
You may not know this, but in Owen Sound Ontario, there is still a BlockBuster Video Storefront sitting like a desolate time capsule on the side of the road. I know just what you're thinking: What an incredible venue for a car show! So that's exactly what we did.
THE GLORY YEARS OF BLOCKBUSTER: 1985-2010
One thing we were adamant on, was that the show had to happen on a Friday night. Seeing as we were celebrating the 'blockbuster culture' of the time, the memories many of us had were the Friday night trips to BlockBuster, where we spent what felt like (and perhaps was) hours looking for that 'just right movie'
BUT WHY A CAR SHOW?
Well, you had to get to BlockBuster somehow, right? When it comes to recreating the feel of the past, having a period correct vehicle to travel to, and enjoy the show in is the closest thing you could get to having an actual time machine. Plus, cars are BIG, they're loud, they have a certain presence that can transport you to another time and place (literally.. get it?) Curating and pulling off an event like this really gives you that 'We did it! Look!' feeling when everything just falls into place. You look around and a packed lot full of period correct cars, the soundtrack to another time is playing, and David Hasselhoff is smiling at you from the windows. It may not be possible to ever have the opportunity to do this again.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
The reality is, a proper car event is simply impossible without the backing of sponsors, or partners. Zehr Insurance Brokers were kind enough to provide the backing we needed to get this off the ground. Along with Hagerty, who contributed tremendously to the success of this event, we couldn't be more thankful. Insurance companies may not be everyone's favourite, however these two brands in particular have done exceptional work supporting our hobby, events, and making it possible to enjoy our collector cars on the road as well. NAPA did an excellent job providing popcorn for everyone, and what an incredible coincidence that their branded truck matched the scene perfectly!
THE BEST LAID PLANS
Obviously being an outdoor car show, being at mercy to the elements is always a thing. In this case, the one day it rained (actualy deluge is more apt) happened to be exactly on the date of the show. To say it was raining, is to describe mount Everest as a molehill. It was an absolute downpour of epic proportions! Hagerty had loaned us an outdoor projector for the show, and we could keep the music and videos going as we all huddled underneath the canopies to keep dry(ish)
ONLY THE FINEST OF PEOPLE
When was the last time you saw a Geo Metro?This absolute show stopper brought a standing ovation when it arrived on the lot. As the show continued into the late night, and we as the organizers were packed up and heading home, tired but happy; There was still a crowd of people gathered around the engine bay of this Metro happily chatting about this glorious machine. That's when it all made sense. None of these people had met before this day. Through the event we have created new friendships, brought people together through a shared nostalgia for something that is long gone, but for one brief moment we can pretend like we were there again.
IT COULD HAVE ONLY HAPPENED LIKE THIS
For our first CircleBack Social event, the atmosphere, the people, the friendships, and the absolute stroke of punishment dished out by nature was just perfect. We'll see you out there!