Every city has its odd quirks, spooky secrets, and beloved traditions. In Saskatoon, “Cruisin’ 8th Street” is a rite of passage going back to the 50’s. Back in those days, 8th Street was just another grid road with a few houses; definitely not the commercial Mecca it is today. But with the rise of middle-class living, people were eager to show off their new-found comforts, especially their cars. Driving up and down 8th Street became a social event. Little by little, shops and restaurants began to take advantage of the crowds and the area built up fast. In fact, when Kentucky Fried Chicken decided to open in Canada, their first location was on 8th Street in Saskatoon and apparently, they kept their Canadian headquarters there for many years.
When I was in school, cruisin’ 8th was more of a teenager thing. I remember stories from friends with older siblings about some of the hazing that occurred during these hangouts. But I was never into that too much. I didn’t really think that much about cars other than driving them from point A to point B. Cruise Night was always interesting though. Just a chance for people to show off their cars. But clearly, it’s an event that’s grown despite some complaints of organization.
At the Delta Bessborough Gardens downtown, there are fundraising concerts as part of the festivities. More often than not, they tend to be Canadian bands of the classic rock genre. But for those who either aren’t interested or couldn’t get a ticket, cruisin’ 8th Street on Friday and Saturday night is what you do. My brother came to visit from Calgary that weekend so off we went in my little 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo to do some cruising. Oh my, I don’t think I’ve ever driven on a road with so many cars – and I’ve been on the 401 in Toronto! We spent about an hour driving and hanging out on the corner of 8th and Preston watching the cars drive by but it started getting to be a bit too much for me. Alas, loud engines, bright lights, and tonnes of exhaust fumes are typically not good for a person with chronic migraines.
Sunday has become the day for the Show & Shine. I certainly appreciate the fact that it’s now during the day instead of in the evening like it used to be but wow, was there ever a lot to see! Here’s a small sample of what I saw:
Despite it being an absolutely exhausting weekend for me, I’m really glad I took the time to go this year. I often think about it but never get around to it. I’m definitely looking forward to it again next year!
