The Ultimate Automotive Get-Together for the Last Half-Century

Photos by Joe Greeves

When you do something long enough, you get really good at it. That’s especially true of car shows—specifically the fall Daytona Turkey Run, now celebrating its 50th anniversary! Held during the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, the show has developed its legendary reputation because it appeals to every level of automotive enthusiasm. The approximately 7,000 cars on display on the Daytona International Speedway infield will test your endurance to see them all. The 1,500- plus vehicles in the Car Corral makes it the biggest weekend custom-car lot on the coast offering something for every taste and budget. Follow that up with the huge gathering of more than 2,000 vendors at the Turkey Run Swap Meet, selling everything from nuts and bolts to high-performance engines and everything in between. Hundreds of food vendors positioned around the infield kept energy levels high, and those who developed a thirst made their way to the Hops & Hood tent to sample some of the best beers around.

But there’s more—lots more.  Automotive celebrities/TV personalities Bad Chad and Jolene from Bad Chad Customs were on hand along with Joe and Amanda Martin from Iron Restoration. Batman dropped off his car and motorcycle, happy to give spectators a great photo op. Scooter Time rentals made sure you could traverse the track in comfort, Mecum Auctions introduced the crowd to the automotive auction experience, and Artisan Alley had handmade crafts and fashion items for that special gift.

This year’s raffle car was a 1932 Ford Highboy roadster, built by Chassis Crafters, was equipped with a 350 Chevy V-8 350ci automatic, and a Brookville steel body. This annual raffle tradition was handled by the Daytona Beach Street Rods—hosts of the Turkey Run for the last half century. Their donations to the Volusia area charities are reaching the million dollar mark.

Want even more? Let’s not forget the afternoon door prize giveaways. Everyone pulls up a chair and waits to hear their number called for the significant gifts awarded Friday and Saturday afternoon. Automotive fun continues even when the sun goes down with Turkey Run Nites, a free outdoor car show held in front of the Daytona International Speedway. It begins on Wednesday and extends through Saturday night with music, cruisin’, food, and fun.

If you’d like to attend an event that has it all, put the fall Turkey Run on your schedule. You can also attend the spring version of this event, happening March 22-24. Remember, there are no classes or awards in either event, just a lot of fun for enthusiasts of any age. Come join your friends at this wonderful Daytona tradition.

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