Come for the car show nostalgia, stay to benefit St. John’s animal shelter
Published 12:12 am Saturday, September 1, 2018
- Dogs and cats are available for adoption at the St. John the Baptist Parish Animal Shelter.
LAPLACE — Mike Bourgeois sees generations of cars as the mile markers of his lifetime.
A 1957 Chevy evokes childhood memories of his father sitting behind a steering wheel. The 1967 Dodge Charger that Bourgeois wishes he never parted with was in his driveway when he first got married.
Bourgeois invites St. John the Baptist Parish residents and their families to take a trip down memory lane at the Riverlands Car Show, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at 500 Fairway Dr. in LaPlace.
“You look at these cars, and it’s nostalgia,” Bourgeois said. “It helps people reminisce about what they’ve had as a child, and now they get to show their children and grandchildren how cars were back in the day. Now you flick a button to turn your headlights and turn signal on, but people my age remember kicking a button on the floorboard.”
Riverlands Car Show is open to all car and truck models pre-1988, and cost of registration is $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show.
The St. John Parish Animal Shelter is located at 488 W. Second St. in LaPlace off of River Road.
The top 10 vehicles will be recognized, and one will be named Best in Show.
According to Bourgeois, 30 percent of registration fees will be donated to Friends of the St. John Parish Animal Shelter for animal maintenance and adoption.
Bourgeois has attended Animal Shelter board meetings, and he considers the organization underserved by the public.
“There are all these charities, but you never hear of people helping the animal shelter,” Bourgeois said. “The money could go to good use placing these puppies and kittens in loving homes and paying for veterinary costs.”
Friends of the Animal Shelter will present adoptable animals at the Car Show, Bourgeois said. While the Car Show is open to the public at no cost, donations to the Animal Shelter are accepted.
A 50/50 raffle will be held at the event, and door prizes include Walmart gift cards, detailing kits, certificates for oil changes and other car maintenance materials.
No outside food or drinks are allowed. Guests may support Riverlands Golf & Country Club with the purchase of a hearty lunch or a drink from the bar, Bourgeois said.
Name, address, email, phone number and make, model and year of the vehicle being entered are required for registration. Entry fees can be dropped off or mailed to Riverlands Country Club, 500 Fairway Drive LaPlace, LA 70068.
For more information, call Bourgeois at 504-228-8756.
