Car Show & Shine Wows 'Em in Sussex, Canada

The car show and shine is always a popular draw at the Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta. Held on a Sunday afternoon (final day of the fiesta), show-goers are continually impressed with the variety of paint jobs, collection of chrome and variety of vintage models all on the same field.

Vehicle owners have invested countless hours and money into their passion. The show gives them a chance to talk to others who have restored or customized their vehicles as well as promote their model and hobby to the public.

Headquartered at Princess Louise Park in Sussex, the Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta features 30 hot air balloons, which fly twice daily (early morning around 7:00 and early evening about 6:30).

Pilots for the 25th annual event arrive from all over North America. There are even special-shape balloons and a fiesta mascot (Lofty).

When the balloons aren't flying, there is plenty to see and do at the park, including: powered paragliding demonstrations; a craft fair with more than 70 crafters and artisans; amusement park; helicopter rides; evening bandstand music and Sunday talent show; parade through downtown Sussex on Saturday; antique car show & shine with 500-plus vehicles on Sunday; an Appaloosa horse show; a PotashCorp fossil find; the New Brunswick Agricultural & Train Museum; and on Friday & Saturday evenings at dusk, the balloons inflate for a moon glow at the park.

The Sparade is a traditional splash parade for the balloonists. Many bring water guns and let loose on the parade watchers along Main Street.

The fiesta has received plenty of honours over its quarter century of filling the skies with colour. To name a few, critical acclaim has come from the American Bus Association, Tourism New Brunswick and Aliant.net.