Street Trucks Heads to a Florida Favorite!

With multiple car shows every weekend, the choices for enthusiasts in the Sunshine State are virtually limitless. The goal, obviously, is trying to attend as many as possible. There is no difficulty, however, in adding two very special Florida events to your have-to-be-there calendar. The first is the largest car show in Florida—the Fall Turkey Run held over the Thanksgiving weekend. With more than 6,000 vehicles, 3,000 vendors, and 1,500 vehicles in the Car Corral, there is always something for everyone. No one skips this one.

The second biggest event on the Sunshine State’ must-attend list for truckers is the spring version of the Turkey Run, held on the third weekend in March. Slightly smaller in volume but just as much fun, the spring show shares the same wonderful variety as the fall event, and becomes the perfect way to usher in the springtime car show season. While drivers throughout the northern states are still shoveling snow, enthusiasts in Daytona were in shirtsleeves enjoying the warm Florida sun and 70-degree temperature.

An amazing collection of custom vehicles lined the infield of the Daytona International Speedway, showcasing the imagination of their builders. Wandering the rows becomes the perfect idea source for your next custom build. The massive swap meet would probably be your next stop since it’s the one place to find that final piece to your restoration puzzle. Hundreds of vendors had everything from ratchet straps to high-performance engines in crates. If you were looking to buy or trade, the Turkey Run Car Corral was easily the coolest weekend used car lot in the state. An unending variety of styles and price points meant there were temptations at every turn. Food vendors throughout the infield kept your internal gas tank topped off while scooter rentals made covering the miles of colorful customs easy.

This year, the House of Kolor Brushfest team added entertainment to the event, inviting 30 of the area’s best airbrush and pinstripe artists to display their talents. Artists were aligned in groups of six, with each painting on a panel for two minutes. They would then rotate to the next panel with each artist adding his or her own special touch. The finished works of art were auctioned off for charity—a great way to support a worthy cause by taking home a memento of the event.

The exciting finale of the three-day event was the Sunday afternoon invitation to drive the legendary high-banked Daytona International Speedway. With the raffle truck in the lead setting the pace, it was an opportunity unique to the spring show, and one that everyone looks forward to—especially when you can get photographs taken of your car crossing the finish line.

Special thanks to the event pioneers, the Daytona Beach Street Rods team, along with the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District. Of course, thanks also to the Daytona International Speedway staff for creating a venue that has entertained millions of enthusiasts over the last five decades. Don’t forget to put the Fall Turkey Run on your schedule this Thanksgiving weekend!