Second Friday in July is officially named Collector Car Appreciation Day in Alberta

By ALEX McCUAIG Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on June 11, 2021.

amccuaig@medicinehatnews.com

The provincial government’s orders-in-council notices are usually a staid affair – appointments to boards and ministerial changes to regulations that don’t require legislative votes. But Wednesday’s notice included a proclamation making the second Friday in July officially Collector Car Appreciation Day.

“I’ve never heard of it,” said Dale McKim, general manager of Redcliff’s Regent Classic Cars.

But he is all for the day proclaimed by Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish.

McKim says last year was tough for classic car shows across the province, with Regent usually participating in a dozen over the course of a year.

Because of COVID, “we’ve had none,” he said with all but one cancelled this year as well.

Classic cars are a popular fixture on Medicine Hat streets, with McKim saying 30 to 50 collectors gather Wednesdays at the Medicine Hat Mall, Thursdays outside the Brick and Fridays featuring a run out to the Irvine Hotel.

“It’s a mindset,” said McKim of why classic cars are so popular in the area. “It’s a form of recreation and people take pride in their work … It’s just plain fun to see.”

However, this isn’t the first time the province recognized Collector Car Appreciation Day.

In 2017, former Service Alberta minister Stephanie McLean was the first to proclaim the day, which has since been recognized by the province every year since.

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