3 days ago
‘I remember them every day': Antique car show in honour of N.S. family
A classic car show in Sydney, N.S., is more than a chance to feature shiny makes and models, it's also an opportunity to honour a beloved family.
The Aaron Jolene Memorial Car Show is in memory of Aaron Tuck, Jolene Oliver, and their daughter Emily Tuck, who were killed in the Nova Scotia mass shooting in 2020. The inaugural car show was held that same year.
This year, more than 100 antique cars are expected for the show.
'The car show, it comes deep from our hearts,' said Dana Gillis.
Jason Gillis says he and Aaron were best friends, bonded by a love of old cars.
'Aaron was like my brother I never had,' he said.
The star of Saturday's show will be a Pinto named 'Emily.' The car was Tuck and Gillis's baby and would have eventually belonged to the young woman it was named for.
'It was going to be Emily's car when she turned 18, so that's why we named the car 'Emily,'' said Jason.
Emily Tuck is well-remembered for her fiddle performance with her father as part of the Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for a cheeky catchphrase she uttered during that show.
'At the end she kind of got a little sarcastic with (her father) and said, 'There's some fiddle for ya,'' recalls Jason.
This year's show will fall on what would have been Aaron's 51st birthday.
'I remember them every day,' said Jason.
'Like, I wake up every morning and I look at their picture and say good morning to them. In the garage, just me working on the car I'll have a conversation with Aaron and try to get his help and guidance so we can get the car up and running so we can drive it and show it in their memory.'
Proceeds from the show will go to Loaves and Fishes in Sydney. Organizers say last year's event raised more than $2,500.
While hundreds are expected to come check out the old makes and models, it's the family's memory that is the driving force behind the event.
'We'll never forget them,' said Jason. 'They're always remembered. We've got great support from our community and people just seem to like our show.'
The Aaron Jolene Memorial Car Show is scheduled to take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Plaza Ford in Sydney.
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