Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Florida: Downtown New Smyrna car show rides again

This is an article from the Daytona Beach News Journal. It's talking about a car show that has already taken place in January - however the car club apparently holds this show monthly - so if you're in FLorida, check it out.

Downtown New Smyrna car show rides again
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Auto buffs will be heading downtown to Canal Street this weekend for the monthly classic car show staged by the East Coast Cruisers car club.

The event, which takes place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, attracts thousands of car enthusiasts from around the state, according to Pat Teehan, vice president of the car club founded in 1991.

Some attendees come for day while others make a weekend of the event, Teehan said. "There is one car club from Tampa that we know stays in an area B and B (bed and breakfast)," he said, adding the event typically attracts several thousand people.

The show, which takes place on the second Saturday of each month, attracts between 400 and 700 vehicles depending upon the weather, Teehan said. There is no fee to enter a vehicle and, of course, spectators are not charged to view them.

"We get everything from original 1913 Model Ts to brand new performance vehicles including sports car and trucks," he said.

Besides attracting car buffs, Teehan is hoping to attract new members to the local club whose membership has dwindled to 20 from a high of 120 at one point.

"You don't need a car, just be an enthusiast," he said Monday in a telephone interview.

The car club stages the show in conjunction with the Canal Street Historical Association. "We get to play with our cars and the merchants get to keep their shops open," he said.

Cindy Jones, president of the association and owner of Southern Trends Home Furnishings, said the event is a great partnership between the merchants and the car club.

"It (Canal Street) provides them a wonderful venue to display their cars and for the businesses, it brings a high quality crowd to enjoy our stores," Jones said. "We (members of the association) have found numerous customers that found out about our stores" during these shows, she said.

Teehan noted that residents can start the day at the Farmers Market, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., in front of Old Fort Park.

The park is located within the historical district at 210 Sams Ave. Local farmers offer fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, plants, juices, dairy, seafood and grass-fed meats. Organic and pesticide-free produce, quality handcrafted items, and baked goods are for sale, too.

For more information about the car show, call 386-547-7319.

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