It’s nothing like your average car and truck show. The long-running Daytona Beach Turkey Run has been a Florida favorite for more than three decades. Originated by the Daytona Beach Street Rods with several of the charter members still playing active roles, this Florida favorite has outgrown numerous venues since it began in 1974. The original collection of 45 vehicles pales in comparison to the staggering numbers at this year’s show. The 2006 get-together, held in the Daytona International Speedway, attracted 5,150 vehicles, making it the largest show of its kind in the country. What’s the reason for this unparalled success?
The most important element that brings the more than 100,000 spectators back each year is fun. There are no classes, there are no teams of judges, and there are no trophies. Pull in, park, give your car a quick wipe down, and forget the tooth brush and tire shine. The idea is to enjoy the show! And the sheer number of vehicles on display will keep your enjoyment level high for quite some time. The Turkey Run’s ‘rolling 20 rule’ means that entries have to be at least 20 years old, skewing the population toward the classic rides we love. You could easily spend days trying to see them all but that’s only one part of the attraction. The show boasts a huge number of vendors with the three thousand spaces sold out every year. If you’ve got a special project vehicle in the garage that needs a few parts, the odds are good you will find it at the Turkey Run. But wait, there’s more. If you’ve had your favorite ride a while and it’s time to move on, turn your attention to the Car Corral where you can choose from more than fourteen hundred vehicles lined up with For Sale signs on them. Chat with old friends on the way, enjoy one of the dozens of food concessions at the track, and hope to hear your number called at the daily giveaways. Significant door prizes like crate engines and MIG welders went home with folks who were already having a good time!
One of the happiest spectators at this year’s show had to be Terry Lykens from Honaker, KY. Terry purchased a dozen tickets for the ’62 Chevy Impala giveaway car, raffled off by the Daytona Beach Street Rods to support their many charitable pursuits in Volusia County. It turned out to be the best contribution Terry ever made when Event Chairman Rick Finzer drew his name from the drum Saturday night and handed him the keys.
If you would like to be part of the largest car show and swap meet in Florida and enjoy one of the biggest events of its kind in the country, check out the web site www.daytonabeachcarshows.com for details. Who knows, this year’s giveaway car might just wind up in your garage! (It’s possible. Just ask Terry!)
