Making a splash at the Peach City Beach Cruise

{I loved the license plate on this gem of a classic car, it said “Vintage British Columbia” on it. I want one to hang in my closet!}

{Me and my wonderful mom, who switched umbrellas right off the bat, because the cute pink Hello Kitty one that I’d brought proved to be too small to cover the my skirt, which was poofed out from the crinoline beneath, from the rain.}

Outfit details 1950s pink flower adorned hat: etsy seller Foxy Brit Vintage Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12 Pearl necklace: Birthday gift from my husband ♥ Periwinkle blue cardigan: Sears 1980s does 50s tropical floral print summer dress: etsy seller Cereal Vintage Thrift Light blue pettiskirt/crinoline: Pettiskirt Style Faux pearl stretch bracelets: Real Canadian Superstore White skinny belt: eBay 1950s pink ruched gloves: eBay 1950s corduroy bucket purse: etsy seller Rue 23 Vintage Clothing Nude seamed stockings: eBay White pumps: Payless Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano 
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Like many towns who depend heavily on the tourist industry to help keep their economy going strong, Penticton is no stranger to fun events and festivals that garner participants and attendees from near and far. Some of these events were around decades before I was born, whereas others have come about during my lifetime. One of the latter is the Peach City Beach Cruise, which began twelve years ago.

This annual event features scores of classic, collector, speciality, and hot rod cars and motorcycles, which assemble and are parked along a good sized section of Lakeview Drive, the street directly in front of Okanagan Lake. Lasting three days (Fri-Sun), the Beach Cruise's most popular event is on Saturday when much of the street is cordoned off to traffic and turned into a walking path for visitors and classic car owners alike to casually stroll along and admire the hundreds of jaw-droopingly fantastic vintage cars that have converged on this little corner of Penticton from all across North America.

Despite being in its twelfth year, due to where I've been living in the years since it started, I'd actually never had the opportunity to attend the Penticton’s (now famous) Beach Cruise. As you can imagine, I was giddy with excitement knowing that at long last I'd finally get the chance this year. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't in anywhere near as a good a mood as I was, and (in keeping with the spirit of this summer) decide to drop a mini monsoon on us as Tony, my parents, and I wandered merrily about admiring the stunning classic rides.

As my mom was quick to point out, cars weren't the only thing that people had their eye on that day. It turns out that my 1950s look was a big hit with the crowd (I was the only person I saw all day wearing a vintage outfit, which was a bit surprising giving the type of venue). I've become accustomed to having people stopping to comment on or compliment my vintage outfits when I'm out and about, but never in all my life have I received anywhere near the number of wonderfully nice comments that I did that particular rain soaked day.

Shy to fault, I always feel out of place when people say lovely things to me, so what I like to do is smile sweetly and say a very heartfelt thanks, of course answering any specific questions that are asked, too. Not only was I flattered and touched to receive dozens of lovely compliments, but a handful of people (including  several very friendly elderly gents) actually stopped to ask if they could take pictures of me. I'm sure many of you gorgeous vintage wearing lasses are no stranger to having this happen, but it was the first time in my life for me, and I was more than happy to oblige.

I must say, it was an amazing experience and by far the closest I've ever come to feeling even the tiniest bit like a celebrity (as they get snapped by strangers and stopped on the street all the time). Not that I am, by any stretch of the imagination, but it sure was fun to feel like one for a little while, especially since I found that as the day wore on, I began to feel less and less shy (an ego boosting outing  indeed!).

All the while though, my eyes were squarely fixed on the amazing cars, some of which (with his iPhone, as none of us wanted to subject our cameras to the crazy amount of rain that was tumbling down) Tony snapped photos of me with. I loved so many of these beautiful, wonderfully cared for classic cars, but I think that purply-pink and white hued 1950s number, seen in the last two photos, (that matched my dress to a tee) was perhaps my very favourite.

While it took me twelve years to finally make it to the Peach City Beach Cruise, I couldn't be more thrilled that I finally got a chance to attend. From the friendly crowd to the stellar rides, this by far the best vintage car show I've ever attended, and I really cannot wait until next year's Beach Cruise to arrive - fingers crossed, with better weather in tow!