The sound of rumbling engines and classic rock has rolled into the Coast as one of the region’s biggest annual events revs up for five days of cruising, chrome and crowds.
The 11th annual Downunder Beachfest kicked off in Caloundra with a street party on Wednesday night, which will be followed by a packed weekend program expected to draw thousands of spectators and more than 550 vehicles from across Australia and overseas.
Friday night’s super cruise is tipped to line streets with spectators as a convoy of vintage and classic vehicles loops through the CBD.
The event route includes the Bulcock Beach esplanade, Minchinton and Bulcock streets, with road closures in place from 4.30pm for the 5pm event kick-off.
But for many enthusiasts, the weekend’s show and shine events remain the main attraction.
Beachfest committee member Kylie Croft has been involved since the event began in 2015 and said the free community car days continued to be the standout feature of the festival.
The Woodford local and her family are displaying two vehicles this year: a 1959 Chev and a rare 1975 Volkswagen Kombi ute.
“We always try to bring two cars,” she said. “We participate every year. We love it. It’s a great event, great people, great cars.”
Self-described “car nuts”, Kylie said her family had built a life around vintage vehicles.
“In my teenage years I got into cars, so did my husband. We’ve been married 32 years. My son, Matt, is car mad and my daughter is now doing up a VW.”
“Matt’s 25 now, he’s been coming to Beachfest since he was a kid. The kids grew up with cars. My daily driver when they were little was a Ford Zephyr Mark four-door sedan,” she said with a laugh.
While the chrome may be the headline act, the festival has grown into much more than a car showcase.
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Across the weekend, crowds can expect live entertainment, food vendors, market stalls and rows of classic and custom vehicles spread throughout the CBD and foreshore precinct.
Beachfest also supports local charities and community organisations each year, adding a fundraising focus to an event that has become a regular fixture on the Coast calendar.
As for the wet weather, Kylie said it would not slow things down.
“We had heaps of fun in the rain last year, too. A little bit of rain doesn’t hurt.”
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