You may have noticed a long line of shiny classic cars driving through Orillia and heading for Highway 12 this morning. They are a part of an annual rally dubbed Maple Mille.
About 150 classic car drivers met this morning at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orillia before taking off for a three-day driving journey. The event is organized by a B.C.-based company called Classic Car Adventures.
Owner Dave Hord says the driving route has changed in each of the past seven years of the event's existence.
“Orillia makes a great start for getting onto some great roads right away without being stuck on the highway. Our event is about enjoying great driving roads,” he said.
The event is called Maple Mille to pay homage to the great Italian car rallies of that name that occurred from 1927 to 1957.
After driving each day, drivers will gather for a group dinner and a parking lot party.
People from all over North America made the trip to Orillia to take part in the Maple Mille.
“We have mostly Ontario guests, we have a few from Quebec, and we have some Michigan people,” Hord said.
The next stop for the Maple Mille is in Pembroke Ontario. Then, they will loop around parts of Quebec, before finishing just north of Peterborough.
