LITTLE FALLS — The 39th Annual Canal Celebration got underway on Thursday evening, opening with Cruise Inn by Mike at the Harbor and an adult fishing contest that pulled in 44 entries, a solid turnout despite showers moving through the area and thunder rumbling nearby throughout the evening.
The weather kept some people home, but it didn’t keep the cars away. Mike Bulger, now in his 14th year running the Thursday night car show at Rotary Park Harbor and Marina, said he half-expected a bare lot given the conditions.
“The year has been pretty horrible so far, just because of all the rain, the no-shows, the smoke from Canada,” Bulger said. “I mean, I expected two or three cars, give them a trophy, and say thanks for coming, guys. But look at them.”
Between the classic car turnout, the food truck on site, and a fishing derby he called a success in its own right, Bulger said he was struggling to explain the crowd.
“I don’t know why people are here – they’re coming out,” he said. “They just want to get out. But they’re here.”
Also making an appearance was the Zahara Shriners, whom Bulger had been trying to coordinate with as of last summer. He wasn’t sure exactly who made it happen, but he was glad to see it come together.
“Somebody sent me over the Zahara Shriners – I don’t know who kicked that pony, but they got here,” Bulger said. “I’m just thrilled because if anybody ever does any research on those guys, I’m amazed at the work these people do. The money they spend on taking care of kids – amazing.”
Bulger, who has run the car show since founding it 14 years ago as a response to complaints that Little Falls had nothing going on, said the proceeds from the show continue to go toward Shop with a Cop, the holiday program that helps local kids around Christmas.
Last year, he described the fund as strained by rainouts and thin donations. Thursday, he sounded hopeful the season could turn that around.
“We’re just hoping to get a little nice weather,” he said. “This – what all the car show goes to – I’d like to have enough for 30 kids again this year. We’ll see what the numbers do.”
Cruise Inn by Mike continues through August, every Thursday evening, weather permitting, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Rotary Park, 125 Southern Avenue.
The Canal Celebration continues through the weekend.
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