2023 Canal Days Event Schedule |
Friday, August 4th |
Market Square
- 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Port Colborne Farmer's Market
West Street
- 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
- Festival grounds licensed for alcohol, 19+. Take your drink 'to go' if you purchase it at a participating establishment. Presented by the Downtown Port Colborne BIA.
- 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Retail vendors, food vendors, exhibits
- 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- City of Port Colborne's Pilot House, Touch-a-Truck, Lost & Found
- Rec Zone in partnership with the Port Colborne YMCA
- Artisan Zone, presented by the Downtown Port Colborne BIA
- Labatt Patio on West
- 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Live and local entertainment, presented by Giant FM and Country 89. Sponsored by Labatt.
Marine Attractions on West
- 12 p.m. (approx.)
- E.M. Cotter Fireboat arrives
- Lettie G. Howard arrives
- Empire Sandy arrives
- 6:30 p.m.
- Sunset cruise on the Empire Sandy. Bags subject to check. Tickets required: canaldays.ca
Historical & Marine Museum
- 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum open
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Edwardian Tea at Arabella's Tea Room
Midway Carnival
- 5 p.m.
- Midway rides and amusements, located on Princess Street.
H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park
- 4 p.m.
- Sugarloaf Marina boat launch ramp closes
- 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Gates open for the Canal Days Concert Series at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. Gravely, Jin, Elliot Brood, and The Glorious Sons, presented by 97.7 HTZ-FM
- 8 p.m.
- Playground and Discovery Spray Pad closes
Sugarloaf Marina
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Lighthouse Tours. Presented by Friends of Port Colborne Lighthouses.
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Saturday, August 5th |
Vale Health & Wellness Centre
- 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Craft show, presented by the Port Colborne Optimist Club (free admission).
West Street
- 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Festival grounds licensed for alcohol, 19+. Take your drink 'to go' if you purchase it at a participating establishment. Presented by the Downtown Port Colborne BIA.
10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Retail vendors, food vendors, exhibits
- 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
- City of Port Colborne's Pilot House, Touch-a-Truck, Lost & Found
- Rec Zone in partnership with the Port Colborne YMCA
- Artisan Zone, presented by the Downtown Port Colborne BIA
Labatt Patio on West
- 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Live and local entertainment, presented by Giant FM and Country 89. Sponsored by Labatt.
Marine Attractions on West
- 10 a.m.
- Deck tours on the E.M. Cotter Fireboat and Lettie G. Howard (time subject to change)
- 10:30 a.m.
- Empire Sandy morning cruise
- 1:45 p.m.
- Empire Sandy afternoon cruise
- 6:30 p.m
- Empire Sandy dinner cruise. Bags subject to check. Tickets required: canaldays.ca
Midway Carnival
- 10 a.m.
- Midway rides and amusements, located on Princess Street.
Kids Zone
- 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Featuring inflatables, activities, pony rides, face painting and train rides across the bridge
Roselawn Centre
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Discovery of the Titanic Exhibit from the Royal Ontario Museum. Free admission.
Historical & Marine Museum
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Historical demonstrations, ship and cannon shooting, medieval reenactors, heritage printing press, model boats, vintage fire trucks.
- Family friendly games and activities, face painting, food and more. Free admission, sponsored by Lower Lakes Towing LTD.
- 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Edwardian Tea at Arabella's Tea Room
H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park
- 4 p.m.
- Sugarloaf Marina boat launch ramp closes
- 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Gates open for the Canal Days Concert Series at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. Texas King, Skye Wallace and Sam Roberts Band, presented by 97.7 HTZ-FM and Move 105.7
- 8 p.m.
- Playground and Discovery Spray Pad closes
Sugarloaf Marina
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Lighthouse Tours. Presented by Friends of Port Colborne Lighthouses.
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Sunday, August 6th |
Vale Health & Wellness Centre
- 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- 29th Annual Canal Days Car Show, presented by Sewell's NAPA
- 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Craft show, presented by the Port Colborne Optimist Club (free admission).
Labatt Patio on West
- 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Live and local entertainment, presented by Giant FM and Country 89. Sponsored by Labatt.
Midway Carnival
- 10 a.m.
- Midway rides and amusements, located on Princess Street.
Kids Zone
- 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Featuring inflatables, activities, pony rides, face painting and train rides across the bridge
West Street
- 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Festival grounds licensed for alcohol, 19+. Take your drink 'to go' if you purchase it at a participating establishment. Presented by the Downtown Port Colborne BIA.
- 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Retail vendors, food vendors, exhibits
- 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- City of Port Colborne's Pilot House, Touch-a-Truck, Lost & Found
- Rec Zone in partnership with the Port Colborne YMCA
- Artisan Zone, presented by the Downtown Port Colborne BIA
- 9:15 p.m. (approx.)
- 10 p.m. (approx.)
- Canal Days Fireworks over the Welland Canal
Marine Attractions on West
- 10 a.m.
- Deck tours on the E.M. Cotter Fireboat and Lettie G. Howard (time subject to change)
- 10:30 a.m.
- Empire Sandy morning cruise
- 1:45 p.m.
- Empire Sandy afternoon cruise
- 5:30 p.m.
- Empire Sandy dinner cruise. Bags subject to check. Tickets required: canaldays.ca
Historical & Marine Museum
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Historical demonstrations, ship and cannon shooting, medieval reenactors, heritage printing press, model boats, vintage fire trucks.
- Family friendly games and activities, face painting, food and more. Free admission, sponsored by Lower Lakes Towing LTD.
- 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Edwardian Tea at Arabella's Tea Room
Roselawn Centre
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Discovery of the Titanic Exhibit from the Royal Ontario Museum. Free admission.
H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park
- 4 p.m.
- Sugarloaf Marina boat launch ramp closes
- 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
- Gates open for the Canal Days Concert Series at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. Pink Floyd Niagara and Riders on the Storm, presented by Giant FM and Country 89
- 8 p.m.
- Playground and Discovery Spray Pad closes
Sugarloaf Marina
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Lighthouse Tours. Presented by Friends of Port Colborne Lighthouses.
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Monday, August 7th
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West Street
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Festival grounds licensed for alcohol, 19+. Take your drink 'to go' if you purchase it at a participating establishment. Presented by the Downtown Port Colborne BIA.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Retail vendors, food vendors, exhibits
- City of Port Colborne's Pilot House, Touch-a-Truck, Lost & Found
- Rec Zone in partnership with the Port Colborne YMCA
Labatt Patio on West
- 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Live and local entertainment, presented by Giant FM and Country 89. Sponsored by Labatt.
Marine Attractions on West
- 10 a.m.
- Deck tours on the E.M. Cotter Fireboat (time subject to change)
- Lettie G. Howard departs from West Street
- 1:45 p.m.
- Empire Sandy afternoon cruise. Bags subject to check. Tickets required: canaldays.ca
Midway Carnival
- 10 a.m.
- Midway rides and amusements, located on Princess Street.
Historical & Marine Museum
- 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum open
- 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Edwardian Tea at Arabella's Tea Room
Roselawn Centre
- 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Discovery of the Titanic Exhibit from the Royal Ontario Museum. Free admission.
Kids Zone
- 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Featuring inflatables, activities, pony rides, face painting and train rides across the bridge
H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Gates open for the Canal Days Concert Series at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. Tim 'E' Hendry and The Caverners, presented by Giant FM and Country 89.
Sugarloaf Marina
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Lighthouse Tours. Presented by Friends of Port Colborne Lighthouses.
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All event times and schedules are approximate and submit to weather, including fireworks. For further details, please call the City of Port Colborne at 1-888-PORT-FUN or visit www.canaldays.ca.
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Empire Sandy Tall Ship Cruises |
Empire Sandy Cruises, presented by the Chamber of Marine Commerce, run all weekend long! The Sunday evening dinner cruise is a fan favourite as you get to enjoy the Canal Days fireworks show right on the water!
For more information about the Empire Sandy Cruises or for assistance purchasing tickets, please call 905-835-2900 or e-mail customerservice@portcolborne.ca
Purchase Empire Sandy tickets online here!
View the 2023 Empire Sandy schedule and ticket prices.
The Empire Sandy is a 200 foot topsail Schooner, and is the largest in Canada. The Cruise through the historic locks of the Welland Canal, allows passengers to enjoy the sights of the engineering marvels and much more.
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Shuttles between Port Colborne and St. Catharines are available for ONLY the Cruise’s Through the Locks on Thursday, August 3, 2023, and Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Please contact eventservices@portcolborne.ca to reserve a seat on the shuttle and for more information on parking for the Cruise’s Through the Locks.
- Boarding the Empire Sandy for all morning, afternoon, and reception cruises will be on West Street, roughly adjacent too 176 West Street, Port Colborne. You must park and then walk into the festival grounds to board the Empire Sandy. Parking is available throughout the city and at market square. Accessible parking is available at the City Hall parking lot (66 charlotte street) and in market square (across the street from City Hall).
Rules on the Empire Sandy:
- Smoking is not permitted.
- Coolers are not permitted.
- Pets are not permitted, except for the registered service animals.
- Lawn chairs are only permitted on the Cruise’s Through the Locks. Lawn chairs are not permitted on morning, afternoon, or reception cruises.
- The Empire Sandy can accommodate wheelchairs on deck, however, there is no wheelchair access to restrooms.
- Children’s car seats and strollers are permitted.
The Empire Sandy is a 200-foot topsail Schooner and is the largest in Canada. The Cruise through the historic locks of the Welland Canal, allows passengers to enjoy the signs of the engineering marvels and much more.
Presented by:
The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is pleased to sponsor Empire Sandy cruises at Canal Days and to be part of the Port Colborne marine community. Find out more about how Great Lakes ships and ports are dropping their carbon tonnes and our proposals for an innovative Canadian Green Shipping corridor as part of ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050.
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Vessel Deck Tours |
Only in Port Colborne does the Welland Canal pass directly through the downtown business district, and only during Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival will visitors find an impressive array of Tall Ships, Coast Guard vessels, a working fireboat, and more.
The Welland Canal is an active trade and commerce route, so visitors will be able to see salties, lakers, and barges travelling in and out of Lake Erie.
Vessel Deck Tours
Please Note: All times and fees are subject to change without notice. Weather conditions may affect tour times.
Entry on all Tall Ships is subject to ID and baggage check as per Transport Canada Regulations.
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Vendors |
West Street |
- El Tambache
- Ruelland Stuff N Bears
- One Up International
- Goodview Fashion
- Expedia Cruises
- Treasures of Tibet
- S'umak Arts
- Evelyn Piper Exclusive
- Quad ATV Niagara
- Tropic Love Concessions
- La Casetta Catering Inc.
- Mobile ICEE
- RetroFestive Sales
- Freak Parade
- Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream x2
- Karma Kameleon
- Henna Design and Tattoos
- Leaffilter North of Canada Inc.
- Costco Niagara
- ArtsbyMeg
- Welland Jackfish
- Lighthouse Festival
- Sailors Jr. B
- Water Wagon
- Vale Canada
- Crystals by Myranda
- Niagara Brewery
- Port Colborne Marine
- Festival Foods x2
- Friendly Greeks
- Sub and Sandwich Factory
- Bubba's Butterfly Chips
- Rose City Pizza
- Country Boys
- Port Cares
- Passionate Art
- The Pilot House
- Get Your Own Taters
- The Greek Wagon
- Chef & Bub Gourmet Popsicles
- Dalida Dali
- Fury Hot Sauce
- Lemon Heaven
- Shriners Creek Kettle Popcorn
- Lock 8 Patio
- Coping Bereavement
- Jan's Closette Bernie Mev Shoes
- Andrzejewski Perogi Shop
- The Poutine Supreme
- Epiphany Cafe
- Niagara Face Painting
- Storm Marketing
- Celebration Cookie
- Spiniko
- YMCA
- Best Fajita in Town
- Happy Bees Honey/Funky Funghi
- Scentsy
- Mis Amigos
- Born2Eat
- Giant FM
- Country 89
- Port Colborne Legion
- Breakwall Brewery
- Canadian Coast Guard
- Port Colborne Lions
- Girl Guides
- Anmol Fashions
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Kids Zone |
- Brava Pizza
- The Sugar Shack
- Fenwick Floral & Garden
- Port Colborne/Welland Shrine Club
- Pony Paradise
- Fairy Faces Face Painting
- Dena Gelentso
- Niagara Inflatables
- Trackless Train
- Party Perfect
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H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park |
- Country Boys
- Alfie's Lemonade
- Jerk Brothers
- Johnny Rocco's Pizza Wagon
- Marble Slab Creamery
- Beavertails
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Car Show |
- Alfie's Lemonade
- Country Boys
- Soup & Things
- Dominos Pizza
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Boat Parade of Lights |
Sunday, August 6, 2023, at 9:15 p.m. (time is subject to change due to Seaway Traffic)
Where else in the world, but Port Colborne, can you have the unique experience of having a parade where the floats…actually float! Hosted by the Sugarloaf Sailing Club, upwards of 20 boats sail the Welland Canal as a pre-show to the Sunday evening Fireworks Spectacular along Historic West Street.
The best place to view the Boat Parade of Lights is on West Street in downtown Port Colborne along the Canal.
This parade is a pre-show to the annual Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival Firework show.
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Fireworks |
Sunday, August 6, 2023, at 10 p.m. (time is subject to change due to Seaway Traffic)
Fireworks are free to the general public. Make your way down to West Street along the Welland Canal for a spectacular show. After all, while the creativity of the technicians makes it special, it’s the families in attendance that make it a success.
West Street in downtown Port Colborne along the Canal is the best place to view this exhilarating firework show. This is a Canal Days tradition that never disappoints.
Thank you to RedBoss Pyrotechnicians for providing us with a great show year after year.
Make sure you come early to check out the Boat Parade of Lights!
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Indoor Craft Show hosted by Port Colborne Optimist Club |
Saturday, August 5 & Sunday, August 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Located at the Vale Health and Wellness Centre, 550 Elizabeth Street, Port Colborne Admission is FREE
The Port Colborne Optimist Club will once again host the Annual Canal Days indoor Craft Show. The event features unique handmade crafts, artwork, dolls, candles, and much more on display and on sale from approximately 75 Ontario vendors.
The Craft Show is a major fundraising effort for the Port Colborne Optimist Club, with all proceeds supporting children programs in the Port Colborne community.
For Craft Show vendor applications, please call Vivian at 905-834-6458
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Kids Zone |
Saturday, August 5 to Monday, August 7, 2023
Seaway Park, Located right over the Clarence Street Bridge on the East Side of the Canal
- Saturday, August 5, 2023 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, August 6, 2023 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Monday, August 7, 2023 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year’s Children’s Area will feature:
- Bubble Dance Party: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Saturday) - Face Painting: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday) - Mini Hero Training Course: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturday) - Port Colborne/Welland District Shrine Club Balloon Animals 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Daily) - Hero Training Show: 1 p.m. (Saturday) - Hero Meet & Greet: 1:30 to 3 p.m. (Saturday) - Character Meet & Greet: 3:30 to 4:40 p.m. (Saturday) - Kids Foam Party: 4 to 5 p.m. (Saturday - Young Adult Foam Party: 5 to 6 p.m. (Saturday) - Face Painting: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Saturday & Sunday) - Port Colborne/Welland District Shrine Club Balloon Animals 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Daily) - Canal Days Creative Craft – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sunday) - Face painting: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Sunday) - Pirate Activities: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ( Sunday - Bubble Dance Party: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Sunday) - Mermaid & Pirates show: 1 p.m. (Sunday) - Mermaid Meet & Greet: 1:30 to 3 p.m. (Sunday) - Character Meet & Greet: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (Sunday - Kids Foam Party: 4 to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
- Inflatable/Bouncer Area (Daily) - Pony Paradise ($5/ride) (Daily)
- Train Ride across Bridge 21 and back to the Kids Zone (Daily) |
Lighthouse Tours |
Lighthouse Tours, presented by HOPA PORTS and Friends of the Port Colborne Lighthouses, operate Friday, August 4 to Monday, August 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Located at Sugarloaf Marina, 3 Marina Drive, Port Colborne.
Tour donation of $15 per adult and $5 per child (ages 6-18). Children 5 and under are free.
Sign-up for tours at the Sugarloaf Marina Pavilion during Canal Days weekend.
Visit Port Colborne’s historic lighthouses that have aided navigation for the past 115 years! A guided tour will be provided by volunteers of the Friends of the Port Colborne Lighthouse.
The 12.8 meter square tower of the inner lighthouse was constructed in 1903 followed by the 11 meter tall foghorn/outer lighthouse in 1928. See the lakers, ocean going vessels, and tall-ships up-close as they navigate the Welland Canal at Lake Erie.
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Midway Carnival |
Join us at the Midway located on King Street for carnival games and rides.
- Friday, August 4 – 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, August 5 – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, August 6 – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Monday, August 7 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bracelets will be offered Saturday and Sunday $30.00 per person each day for use from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular tickets are available every day, open to close.
All rides are 1 ticket per ride.
Single tickets $5 each 11 for $50 22 for $90
All rides have height restrictions.
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Historical & Marine Museum |
2023 Canal Days Museum Programming
Canal Days at the Museum is your destination for marine displays and photographs as well as railway and ship models. Find a shady spot to enjoy good music, food, and family fun during Canal Days at the Museum.
Visit the place where Canal Days began!
Saturday, August 5, 2023, and Sunday, August 6, 2023
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Port Colborne Museum offers a family-friendly place for old-fashioned fun which celebrates our marine heritage.
Free Admission, sponsored by Lower Lakes Towing.
Celebrating Port Colborne's Heritage |
Enjoy the Great Lakes Model Boat Association’s remote control boat show in action and the Niagara Antique Power Association’s demonstrations of antique equipment and steam whistles. Be sure to try your hand at pumping water or shelling corn, or take a ride in the mini train!
Watch artisans demonstrate blacksmithing, woodcarving, spinning, rope ladder-making and other crafts throughout the heritage village. Make your own rope at the rope machine.
You’ll get to see and talk to our costumed interpreters.
Explore our exhibits in the main museum galleries.
Take a seat to enjoy a photograph slide show in the Archives Research Room, and explore displays about our transportation heritage in the Archives Conference Hall.
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Free Activities for Kids |
Our Kids’ Zone offers lots of free activities including face-painting, heritage dress-up, a scavenger hunt, story time, games and prizes.
Kids love the Giant Sand Box, and may even find some buried treasure!
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Family-friendly Activities and Entertainment |
Don’t miss Floss and Tann’s Cabinet of Curiosities – an amazing tent full of curious and astonishing things!
Enjoy toe-tapping live entertainment from musicians and dancers.
Have your very own tintype photo taken by our photographer. You can even use clothing from our Heritage Costume Collection for a vintage look!
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Food |
Satisfy your taste buds with food from Riverside Berry Farm.
Savour tea and freshly-baked biscuits at Arabella’s Edwardian Tea Room.
Enjoy old-fashioned lemonade, popcorn and other treats for sale throughout the grounds.
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Did You Know? |
The only place to buy your Official Canal Days t-shirts is from the museum!
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Sewell's NAPA Automotive Annual Classic Car Show |
Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: T.A. Lannan Sports Complex, 550 Elizabeth Street, Port Colborne.
Registration closes at 12 p.m. No spots will be reserved.
Participation in the Car Show is free and car owners can compete for a number of trophies and prizes. Since there is no entry fee, we ask that you bring a non-perishable food item as a donation.
For more information contact bsteinhaus@napacanada.com
View the 2022 Car Show Site Plan
Each year this Car Show grows bigger and better, and features vehicles you will not see anywhere else. If you are a fan of antique and special interest cars, hot rods, low riders, racers, pick-ups, and the irreplaceable 50s, 60s, and 70s classics, this is the car show for you.
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