2015 Fall Florida AutoFest by carlisle (Lakeland FL)
(Lakeland FL) November 12 – 15, central Florida car enthusiasts gathered at the Lakeland FL SUN ‘N FUN complex to attend the ‘2015 Fall Florida AutoFest’, presented by Carlisle Events. Having hosted 6 previous auto shows in Florida over the past 3 years, Carlisle has developed a strong reputation for putting on an impressive showing of classic cars. This particular event even included a 2-day appearance by legendary ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ movie star, Mr. Burt Reynolds!!!
I really didn’t know what to expect in making the drive out to Lakeland. The event boasted a $10 only daily entrance fee, no charges for parking, and was being held at a complex known for its air shows. On paper, I was a little skeptical as to what I was about to walk into, but I was determined how a Carlisle show compared to other shows I had attended in central Florida. So, the pressure was on to see if they could meet my pretty steep expectations. Would they succeed in this endeavor?
I really didn’t know what to expect in making the drive out to Lakeland. The event boasted a $10 only daily entrance fee, no charges for parking, and was being held at a complex known for its air shows. On paper, I was a little skeptical as to what I was about to walk into, but I was determined how a Carlisle show compared to other shows I had attended in central Florida. So, the pressure was on to see if they could meet my pretty steep expectations. Would they succeed in this endeavor?
Lakeland’s SUN ‘N FUN complex was massive! I’ve attended shows in Orlando where the cars were confined to a convention hall space, and even in downtown outdoor venues. I was shocked to see people getting shuttled over in the convenient trams running throughout the complex. Trams were necessary for many as the AutoFest spanned such a vast area of land. For me, I walked from the parking lot and was pleasantly intrigued by the commercial and military aircraft adorning my walkway path. Inherent to the complex, planes were taking off and landing out in the distance, separated from the car show by only a chain link fence. For a nominal fee, guests could also take a ride on a military helicopter viewing the auto show hundreds of feet below. I found out that there’s a also a FREE SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Museum on the grounds and a Top Gun flight simulator. For each day of the event, Florida AutoFest spectators watched opening ceremony flyovers complete with skydivers, accompanied by the playing of our great country’s National Anthem in the background. I’m hoping that other attendees were intrigued enough by the SUN ‘N FUN complex cameos that they will want to make a future separate visit back to the complex just to see what the aviation park had available for its visitors.
The area immediately preceding the show itself was set aside for local vendors selling various items – miscellaneous auto parts, vintage car signs, little automotive collectibles. Sellers parked right next to their selling areas and it felt like I was taking a trip through an outdoor flea market – able for anyone to find a good deal on a prized item, if one was willing to look through the thousands of items on display. But, there were definitely deals to be had for the patient shopper.
The area immediately preceding the show itself was set aside for local vendors selling various items – miscellaneous auto parts, vintage car signs, little automotive collectibles. Sellers parked right next to their selling areas and it felt like I was taking a trip through an outdoor flea market – able for anyone to find a good deal on a prized item, if one was willing to look through the thousands of items on display. But, there were definitely deals to be had for the patient shopper.
In the Cessna Building is where celebrity magic awaited me. In the grassy area immediately in front of this building, were several Smokey and the Bandit replica Trans Ams. If you looked close enough, you would even find a cosplaying Texas Sheriff ‘Buford T. Justice’ in full khaki uniform, accessorized by restored replica sheriff’s cars. A makeshift Burt Reynolds memorabilia tent was selling shirts, prints, and other Reynolds movie merchandise. Here, one could purchase tickets for the autograph session: to get one personal item from home would cost $25, but to get any of these items sold from the tent signed would cost $75 in addition to the cost of the item. Unfortunately, tickets could not be purchased to take just a photograph with Mr. Reynolds, but that didn’t seem to faze hardcore fans of his from paying for an autograph and the chance to meet their idol.
Inside of four airplane hangars, excited bidders could put down big money and drive away with an auto from the onsite auction. Interested buyers needed to purchase a $100 ‘Bidder’s pass’ – but the Classics up for sale was an extreme collection of beauties such as an ’89 Lamborghini Countach, ’55 Ford Fairlane, ’67 Shelby Cobra, and ’79 Pontiac Trans Am. If cars and trucks weren’t your thing, you could even bid on a ’41 Stearman Biplane or ’30 Waco RNF Biplane (yes, you could buy a plane!). It was estimated that more than 400 vehicles were up for consignment at this event, and spectators were able to get one final look at the vehicles as they were showcased one last time around the hangar area before winning bidders would ultimately take them away.
Carlisle puts on a definite must-attend for any car enthusiast. The 2015 Fall Florida AutoFest in Lakeland was a very family-friendly event – pets on leashes, a huge selection of food choices from funnel cakes to award-winning burgers, and one of the largest classic car displays I’ve ever seen, at a very low cost in a great setting. To sum this event up: it’s just an all-around great piece of Americana going on at a Carlisle show. As such, this was a great time for all ages and I sincerely look forward to attending their next show in February 2016.
Inside of four airplane hangars, excited bidders could put down big money and drive away with an auto from the onsite auction. Interested buyers needed to purchase a $100 ‘Bidder’s pass’ – but the Classics up for sale was an extreme collection of beauties such as an ’89 Lamborghini Countach, ’55 Ford Fairlane, ’67 Shelby Cobra, and ’79 Pontiac Trans Am. If cars and trucks weren’t your thing, you could even bid on a ’41 Stearman Biplane or ’30 Waco RNF Biplane (yes, you could buy a plane!). It was estimated that more than 400 vehicles were up for consignment at this event, and spectators were able to get one final look at the vehicles as they were showcased one last time around the hangar area before winning bidders would ultimately take them away.
Carlisle puts on a definite must-attend for any car enthusiast. The 2015 Fall Florida AutoFest in Lakeland was a very family-friendly event – pets on leashes, a huge selection of food choices from funnel cakes to award-winning burgers, and one of the largest classic car displays I’ve ever seen, at a very low cost in a great setting. To sum this event up: it’s just an all-around great piece of Americana going on at a Carlisle show. As such, this was a great time for all ages and I sincerely look forward to attending their next show in February 2016.