Despite a shower of rain, more than a hundred cars cruised through the Alberni Valley on Friday, Aug. 6 for the Thunder in the Valley Charity Cruise.
Drag racers in Port Alberni weren’t able to host the annual Thunder in the Valley drag races this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, so the Alberni Valley Drag Racing Association decided to host a charity cruise instead.
Cars started at the Alberni Athletic Hall and cruised all over town, ending at the Boston Pizza parking lot for an impromptu car show. The route also took drivers past the former Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS) site on Tseshaht First Nation land.
Funds from the cruise will be split between two charities: the West Coast General Hospital Foundation’s emergency room expansion and the Tseshaht First Nation’s fundraiser for a memorial for children who attended AIRS.
Organizers are still adding up the total raised from the event, but estimate that there were approximately 180 cars registered.
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
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