48th-annual Daytona Turkey Run 'largest show in history'

More than 160,500 guests attended the four-day event at the Daytona International Speedway.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 12:00 p.m. December 1, 2021
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Neighbors
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Over 160,500 guests basked in the glow of polished chrome and custom paint jobs at the 48th-annual Daytona Turkey Run, a four-day car event which kicked off Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25, and ran through Sunday, Nov. 28.

The Daytona Beach Street Rods and Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District continue to collaboratively produce the event, and proceeds are utilized to support and enrich local communities. The car club has already started to build the 50th anniversary raffle car which will be completed in time for the 2023 Turkey Run. The car will be a replica of show founder Stu Sarjeant’s 1932 Ford HiBoy Roadster. The club has set their fundraising goal to exceed $1 million dollars by the end of 2023.

Jennifer Labonte, director of marketing, was impressed with the amount of first-time participants at the show.

“This was our largest show in history,” she said. “We are thrilled to see so many people introducing the Daytona Turkey Run to their friends, families and children. We can't thank the participants and guests enough for joining us this year and being such an amazing crowd.”

Whether shopping for car parts at the swap meet, enjoying a beverage at the Hops and Hoods craft beer festival or ogling a ’64 Chevy Impala in the car corral, the Turkey Run offered a wide variety of activities for everyone. A large percentage of participants and guests alike return annually to attend the festivities held at the famous Daytona International Speedway and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow car enthusiasts.

Detlef Lange has been flying to the fall show from his home in Germany for seven years. On occasion, he has added the spring show to his travel plans. In 1984, Lange was in the army and spent some time in the United States. He liked the country and decided he must have an American-made muscle car. Eight years ago, he finally bought his dream car: a Ford Mustang.

“I bought a Mustang so I looked for car shows in the United States and found Daytona,” he said. “I usually go to the swap meet and buy parts for my car. It’s also a place to meet people with the same interests.”

The Palm Coast Cruisers returned again for their fifth year to what president Steve Lancour described as his favorite show. He purchased 76 tickets for spots in the show car area hoping to accommodate his club’s increased membership which is up by 125 from last year for a total of 500 members. Lancour explained that most car clubs only have a small percentage of actual participants. His goals for the upcoming year are to have 200 active members and broaden their ability to help others in need.

“We raise funds for the Community Cats of Palm Coast and have also helped the Live Like Cameron Foundation,” Lancour said, “We are a nonprofit organization now and can do more for the community. I would like to do something for the boy that broke his neck diving into the ocean. His family really needs our help.”

The 32nd-annual Spring Daytona Turkey Run will be held at the Daytona International Speedway March 25-27, 2022.

 

 

 

 

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