This Sunday (July 14), the 23rd annual Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show returns to Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene.
During the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can view antique and classic cars and vintage motorcycles from enthusiasts across Ontario, which will be on display throughout the historic village, and vote for your favourites.
But Transportation Day isn’t just about cars and motorcycles — it’s also about alternative modes of transportation. Once again this year, the Antique Bicycle Collectors of Ontario will be showcasing their extensive display of antique and rare bicycles in and around the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building.
More than 20 exhibitors will display bicycles from the 1890s to present day — including wooden wheel bikes, high wheel bikes, banana seat bikes, recumbent bikes, the world-famous CCM Flyte bike, and many more — as well as vintage cycling accessories, photographs and other paraphernalia. Mechanic Mike Taylor of Mike Fix My Bike will be demonstrating basic bicycle repairs and Pat Johnston of Bespoke Wheels will demonstrate wheel building and service.
Classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts who want to show off their machines during the Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show can register on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a $10 fee that includes admission into the village. The first 200 participants will receive a complimentary dash plaque as a souvenir of their participation.
More than 50 trophies will be awarded, including the coveted People’s Choice and Lang’s Choice awards. You can listen to music from the ’50s to the ’80s, supplied by DJ Del, while browsing the vehicles and voting for your favourite.
As well as admiring the displays of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, you can stroll or take a free horse-drawn wagon ride through the village, where you’ll learn more about how transportation has changed over the years and the roles that various 19th-century tradespeople played in the creation of transportation methods.
Visit Milburn House to try a sample of the easy-travelling food Scottish Oak Cakes, discover the challenges of the journey from Britain to Canada at the Fife Cabin, and wait for the stagecoach in the Hotel. In the Transportation Barn, you will see 19th-century modes of transportation including sleighs, wagons, and milk carts.
In the Jacquard Loom Interpretive Centre, you can watch demonstrations on the Jacquard loom — known as the grandmother of modern computing as it used replaceable punched cards to control a sequence of operations. Treats and refreshments will be available at the Keene Hotel, or stop by the Cheese Factory for fresh Empire Cheese curds and bread.
The Lang Traditional Music Club will perform live music on the Village Green, there will be rug hooking demonstrations by members of the Northumberland Rug Hookers, and Helen and her border collie Mirk will demonstrate the centuries-old skill of herding sheep in the pasture.
Once again, village barber Ryan from Hills Family Barbershop will be offering old-fashioned shaves and cuts in the Keene Hotel Bar Room ($24 for a hot shave, $15 for a regular shave, and $5 for a mock child shave).
The Lang Snack Shop will also be open throughout the day serving refreshments, snacks, and Kawartha Dairy ice cream, or you can enjoy fresh fries or poutine served by Reggie’s Hot Grill.
Admission to the Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 5-14), and free for children under 5. Family admission is also available for $40 and includes two adults and up to four youths (ages 5-14). All taxes are included.
For more information on this and other upcoming events at Lang Pioneer Village Museum, visit www.langpioneervillage.ca.
