SYDNEY, N.S. — Mildred MacDonald loved their Austin Rumble Seat car.
She and her late husband Donald owned one and the couple spent many hours driving around, enjoying time together.
"I loved the backseat ones," MacDonald said with a grin. "We loved the Rumble Seat. We parked everywhere in it."
Staff and other residents near MacDonald burst into laughter and then talk returns to the antique and classic cars they just saw drive by in the Just Passing By car show on Saturday.
"It was really beautiful. So many colours," said Sr. Anne-Maureen Cleary from North Sydney, who said she has fond memories of her father's Ford car.
"Those were the days. Every Sunday afternoon, driving around with my father. He'd ask three or four nuns to come along.
"That's why it's good to have a car."
Four Cape Breton car clubs partnered to organize the drive-by car show. Promoting it primarily through social media, the Northside Boys, Cape Breton Mustang Club, Cape Breton Classic Cruisers and Antique and Custom Car Club attracted about 70 drivers for the over three-hour ride through the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
"It's a great turnout," said Johnny Paquet from the Northside Boys. "We wanted to do something to cheer up the seniors in the nursing homes."
The ride is also a way of showing thanks to the care workers in the long-term care facilities.
"This is a great cause," said Brenda Alexander from the Cape Breton Classic Cruisers. "We wanted to give something back to the seniors and the essential workers.
The ride, which started and ended in North Sydney, passed by long-term care facilities in North Sydney, Sydney Mines, Sydney, New Waterford and Glace Bay, as well as communities like Point Edward and Westmont.
Hector and Olive Campbell from Sydney rode in their 1962 Ford Fairlane 500. Although Hector isn't a member of the car clubs hosting the mobile car show, he wanted to participate because he liked what it is trying to do — make seniors and long-term care facility staff happy.
"Somebody might enjoy it instead of just us," he said.
Joanne and Gary Knoblett from Glace Bay, who are a "mixed marriage of Chevys and Mustangs" according to Joanne, drove in Gary's 1930 Chevrolet, which he's owned for 23 years.
"We wanted to show we appreciate our seniors. Because of COVID they aren't able to get out alot. This way we can bring it to them," said Joanne.
While the car show passed by the residents at MacGillivray Guest Home, the drivers honked and waved as the residents and care staff clapped and waved back. At times shouts of "Thank you" were heard as well of gasps of excitement over a colour or model of car.
"It was something special to see," said care worker Ann-Marie Roberts. "That's something we won't see again."
