Central Park was transformed into a colourful mosaic of gleaming hoods and polished exhaust pipes at the 16th annual Show and Shine on Sunday.

This year's event, organized by the Nicola Valley Cruisers and the Merritt chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada, showcased some of B.C.'s finest classic cars.

Over 120 cars registered for the event and adorned a grassy field in the downtown park. Car enthusiasts, curious locals, and tourists alike were free to look as much as they wanted, although touching was discouraged.

Abe Pettyjohn, president of the Nicola Valley Cruisers, was pleased with this year's showing.

“We had a successful event,” said Pettyjohn.

“There is a great camaraderie between the participants—it's a place where old friends can meet and have a little chitchat and critique everybody else's vehicles or drool over which ones we'd like to have in our shop.”

With participants from around B.C., the event drew in quite a variety of valuable vehicles. Randy Ramsey and his 1970 Pontiac Acadian of Athalmer, near Invermere, traveled the farthest distance to attend.

“There were some old ‘27 and ‘28 Model Ts right up to an ‘89 Rolls-Royce,” explained Pettyjohn.

Awards were divided into categories ranging from Mayor's Choice to the Best ‘80s to Best Vintage. Each registered participant voted for their favourite in each category.

Winners took home a locally sponsored plaque and a healthy dose of compliments from fellow automotive admirers.

Doug Mervyn, one of the founding members of the Nicola Valley Cruisers, entered a couple of his prized possessions in this summer's competition.

“I had two cars in there, a 1941 Chevy and a 1960 Chevy Impala—the Impala won in the Best of ‘60s category,” said Mervyn.

Profits generated from T-shirt sales, 50-50 draws, or any of the services offered by the clubs, go toward local charities and bursaries.