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Classic car toy run starts in Port Moody Saturday

Event in support of Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau
Toy run
A classic car toy run will start on Spring Street in Port Moody on Saturday morning and will wend its way into Vancouver to give donations to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.

Classic cars are frequently a story of boys and their toys and Saturday's second annual Vancouver Classic Car Toy Run that starts in Port Moody exemplifies that on more than one level.

The event, organized by Vancouver real estate agents Chris and Tracy McKee, is in support of the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau.

"I remember reading an article on classic cars and the enthusiasm about it, and it had said if you really liked the car culture then think about giving back," said Chris McKee, who with his wife has also organized the James Bond Martini Party for 20 years. "And I thought of a toy run."

It starts at the Port Moody Park and Ride lot at 2916 Spring St., with participants meeting at 9 a.m., the procession leaves at about 10 a.m. and concludes at Red Truck Brewing in Vancouver (295 East First Ave.). It will go down Barnet Highway onto Hastings Street in Burnaby. In Vancouver, they will turn south on Commercial Drive to Kingsway and then to Main Street.

"One of the reasons to [start in Port Moody] was to use the Barnet Highway, and make the route as simple as possible," said McKee.

Last year's inaugural event attracted only 10 vehicles because it rained, but that hasn't deterred McKee.

"These things start small. The one big factor I can't do anything about it is the weather," said McKee on Monday. "I looked at the forecast and oh, dear lord, it's looking like the same thing again. You have to do this rain or shine, but the unfortunate part is a lot of classic car owners won't bring their cars out in the rain.

"However, it's for charity and a little rain won't hurt the car, but I respect other people's decisions not to do it."

He said last year the toy run concluded at Ralph's Radio in Vancouver and the participants decided to head to Red Truck nearby to get out of rain. So McKee approached the craft brewer about providing space for the vehicles to be displayed, as well as live music from Hang-Ten Hangmen, a surf band.

McKee encouraged Tri-City residents to participate, or view the vehicles before they leave Port Moody, and bring a new toy for a child, a gift card or a cash donation.

For more information on the toy run contact the McKees at 604-970-9048 and more info on the bureau is available online at lmcb.ca.

ggranger@tricitynews.com