Hot August Nights Raises $7,500 for Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital

This summer, a cherished local tradition found new life under our care. Oro Station Motor Circuit is proud to share that Hot August Nights 2025 raised $7,500 in support of the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Infinite Possibilities Fund, ensuring continued investment in innovation, patient care, and the hospital’s future redevelopment.

Held each Tuesday evening in August at Webers, Hot August Nights has long been a celebration of motoring heritage and community spirit. Founded and run for many years by Jim and Pauline Pearsall with the support of volunteers, the weekly gathering of classic cars became a summer ritual for enthusiasts across the region.

This year marked a new chapter, as Oro Station stepped in to carry forward the event’s legacy and its commitment to supporting local health care.

“Jim has known my father for years, and I knew the team at Webers, and I didn’t want to see the show end,” said Geoffrey Campbell, founder of Oro Station. “It’s such a great gathering of passionate car enthusiasts in support of a good cause. We wanted to see it continue, so we stepped up to carry it on.”

Despite a few rainy evenings, attendance remained strong, with over 400 classic cars rolling in nearly every night. Guests enjoyed free ice cream vouchers from Webers, admired the diverse lineup of vehicles, and took part in raffles and a 50/50 draw — all contributing to the event’s fundraising success.

From its earliest days, Hot August Nights has been defined by generosity. Founder Jim Pearsall built the event around a simple belief: that community comes together most meaningfully when it supports those who care for us.

“The hospital’s been number one ever since we started,” Jim reflected. “Tom (owner of Webers) is a big believer in the hospital because everybody in this area uses it - everybody touches that hospital sometime in their life, so what better cause?”

That tradition continues today. For Geoffrey and the Oro Station team, the cause is deeply personal.

“My son was born at Soldiers’ just under two years ago, and we’re two months away from our next one being born there,” said Geoffrey. “The hospital has touched our lives, as it has so many others in this community.”

This year’s event was also held in memory of Barry Bird, a dear friend and early supporter of Hot August Nights, whose passion for both cars and community left a lasting mark.

“We are deeply grateful to the Oro Station team, Webers, and the entire community who came out to support Hot August Nights,” said Perry Esler, President and CEO of the OSMH Foundation. “This gift will help us continue to invest in the future of health care in our region. Thank you for keeping this tradition alive and for making a meaningful difference.”

Hot August Nights remains a celebration of classic cars, camaraderie, and community care - values that align perfectly with Oro Station’s own mission to bring people together through the shared love of motoring.

We’re honoured to help keep this tradition alive and look forward to welcoming everyone back next summer.

To learn more about the Infinite Possibilities Fund or to contribute, please visit www.osmhfoundation.ca