Moncton – Thousands arrive for the Atlantic National Car Show in New Brunswick. Globalnews.ca

Atlantic citizens have returned in full force.

It is the largest of Atlantic Canada car exhibition And more than 2,400 cars were registered for the weekend with hosts from across Canada and the US.

“It’s been a great show. We’re very excited. Very cool new cars, different cars. This year we have divided the show into two parts. We did an old car section and a new car section, which helps promote hobbies for all classes,” said atlantic citizen Chair Bill Doherty.

Thousands of people attended on Sunday in classic hotroads, vintage cars and new high-speed cars.

For the past two years, the show was shortened, including a three-day shortened version of the show in 2021 due to COVID-19. Doherty said the pandemic allowed for some interesting changes.

“We have gone to an online registration format, we have points of sale at the entrance so that people cannot exchange cash and cut down on the number of places where people are congregating,” he said.

According to Doherty, the traditional dance took place outside. In addition, the two years have allowed people to work on their own car projects or even buy new cars ahead of this year’s show.

“There were a lot of cars that were bought during the COVID shutdown and a lot of cars were made as well,” Doherty said.

The large crowd and influx of carefully crafted cars with custom features and engines is something that Joe Savoie, owner of the Radical Speed ​​sports car show, said is happening at several shows this year – the show was held in April.

“It’s the same here,” he said. “The crowd is great. Cars are great. There’s a lot of new stuff and we’re seeing it in a lot of shows. People are just itching to get back out and spend the last two years, three years, working on their new stuff and it’s been great. ,

He said that while people are eager to return, challenges remain, including ensuring that celebrity guests are included in the show – with airlines being hit hard by the rising demand in travel.

However, Doherty said there are still kinks to be worked out, but it’s great to be back.

“Atlantic Nationals, we are all car enthusiasts, but my team and I have realized that this show has gone beyond just a car show, it is for the city of Moncton, for the area around Moncton, and in fact a The major economic driver is the entire Atlantic province.”