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Car boot sale
Friday, June 22nd, 2007 by GetawayBC.com
The magnificent shorelines of Tsawwassen are always bustling on a summer day, but if you take a few steps towards the Centennial Beach parking lot, you might find another reason to love the beach.
Again this summer, the Cammidge House Committee is hosting its car boot sale at Boundary Bay Regional Park, to raise money for Cammidge House.
It’s like a flea market, with vehicles paying the committee $10 to rent a parking stall and selling items from the “boot” (to use the British slang for trunk) of their car.
“It’s exciting,” said event organizer Harry Caine. “We started it four years ago, and it’s been really very successful.”
Caine says the car boot sales feature items you would find at any garage sale, but it’s more convenient because “everybody selling things is right next to each other.”
He was introduced to the concept of the car boot sale while in Christchurch, New Zealand five years ago.
“I saw it and I thought ‘What an amazing idea to raise money.’ My mind is always clicking away for neat things like this.”
The Cammidge House car boot sales have room for 40 cars- significantly smaller than the events held in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, where vehicles in the hundreds flock to parking lots.
But in Tsawwassen’s case, the local sale is also helping provides some added value to a local landmark.
The historic Cammidge House in Boundary Bay Regional Park became a heritage home in 1998 after it was moved from its original location at Boundary Bay Road and Third Avenue, and was fully restored and opened to the public.
The building not only offers visitors a look at life 100 years ago, but it has also become a picturesque and popular place to host a wedding.
Money raised from the boot sales this year will go towards furnishing “Laura’s Room.”
Laura Cammidge’s second-floor bedroom will be used as an area for brides and bridesmaids to prepare, whilst taking in the beauty of the century-old vanities that adorn the room.
Caine is confident the Cammidge House committee will be able to fully furnish Laura’s Room by the end of summer-as long as bargain shoppers come to Centennial Beach to enjoy the car boot sales.
“It’s become so great and so much fun,” said Caine. “It’s a fantastic way to spend a Saturday.”
- The car boot sale runs 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of every month, from June to September. Vendor parking spots are available on a first come, first served basis.;