The organizers of the 28th Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing are pleased with the outcome of the annual event, despite the weather taking a bite out of their numbers.
Bill Wolsing, chair of WAMBO 28, said considering the weather, he is happy with the results.
“WAMBO die-hards still came out,” Wolsing said.
“There weren’t as many exhibitors and that’s because they are not going to bring their babies out in the rain. But I was pleased, I was very pleased with the result considering the circumstances.”
Wolsing added: “Obviously our numbers were down this year for sure. There is the older people that just can’t deal with the rain and that kind of thing and that is understandable. So to have the people that showed up are the die-hards and they were smiling and they were happy. We will just press on and next year will be just as nice, bigger and better and we hope that there is no rain.”
Dozens are cars lined up James Street, and many boats lined the shores of the Sydenham River for the event, which saw the humidex staying in the high 30s despite the multiple downpours of rain.
“They still came. Not as many as we wanted but they still showed up and there was still a lot to see,” Wolsing said.
The WAMBO entertainment stage was packed with talen all weekend, including local band Blues on the Rocks on Friday evening, and Elvis impersonator Bruno Nesci on Saturday.
“Both shows were awesome,” Wolsing said.
“Crowds loved them. They were both great, fun to watch and good to hear.”
Wolsing said the south side of town was busy with activity.
“Lots of happy kids,” he said.
“South side is more children orientated with the soap box races, the museum and the displays. They got to see it all. Every age had some fun there.”
Wolsing said the cardboard boat races seemed to grow this year, its second time as part of WAMBO.
“It gained interest fast. It was very well organized. Kudos to the manager’s of that department. It was fun to see. It’s good to see ‘Crazy Legs’ Murphy laying in the water.”
Wolsing said the support form local businesses through sponsorship was amazing for the annual event.
“Huge. Absolutely huge. Business and community support, without them, there wouldn’t be WAMBO,” Wolsing said.
“We rely on their generous donations to make the show as clean, safe and successful as possible. It speaks volumes when you have our community come together and help us in that aspect because we need that and it’s so greatly appreciated. You have no idea.”
Wolsing added: “Kudos to the town of Wallaceburg people and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for another great year for WAMBO. A little bit of rain doesn’t hurt anybody, it was actually refreshing to be honest on a hot day like that. Sometimes you have to take the good with the bad and we took them both this time.”
Wolsing said the highlight of the event for him was working with his dedicated group of WAMBO volunteers.
“There are so many different things that are highlights in my eyes,” he said.
“I guess the highlight of my WAMBO would have been the volunteers that helped. That in itself. These people work so hard and to see everyone come together especially under the circumstances of the rain and the elements we experienced. That’s my highlight I guess of all of it to see that they pulled through and got it done.”
Here is some more coverage of WAMBO 28:
– Cardboard boat races a success at WAMBO 28 – See photos
– South side excitement at WAMBO 28 – See Photos
