This article is in partnership with The Daytona Turkey Run, however all opinions are my own.
All this talk of the Daytona Turkey Run made me believe that there were actual Turkeys running. Wrong!
Turkey Run History
The Daytona Turkey Run was created in 1974 by Stu Sarjeant. Stu and his five year old son Jim had attempted to enter their 1923 Ford T-Bucket in the 1973 Ormond Beach AACA Gaslight Parade sponsored by the local Jaycees.
They were ejected and denied entry as Hot Rods were not permitted. Jim starting crying and asked his Dad if they could have their “own parade” next Thanksgiving. The following year the very first Daytona Turkey Run was born. In 1975 Sarjeant along with friends Rick Finzer and Olin Hopes founded the Daytona Beach Street Rods.
The first Daytona Turkey Run hosted 45 cars and was held at the Howard Johnson hotel near Belair Plaza. Continuing to grow, the show moved to Seabreeze High School in 1982 and added a swap meet. By 1987 The Turkey Run had grown to more than 900 cars and relocated to a property at the Daytona Beach airport.
In 1989 the Daytona Beach Street Rods partnered with the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District (Daytona Beach Car Shows) and found a permanent home in the infield of the Daytona International Speedway. By this time, the show had grown to over 1,500 show quality cars and 250 swap meet vendors.
What To Expect If You Attend
Starting Wednesday Nov. 21st thru Saturday Nov. 24th. 4PM to 9PM. Just across the street from the Daytona International Speedway. You can register your show car for the Turkey Run or pick up your credentials if you’re Pre-registered. You can do that here!
Kids can play in the Little Gobbler’s Play Zone with bounce houses and more. Kids under 11 are free
We have restaurants, retail stores, game centers, movie theaters, hotels, a Bass Pro Shop, Ben & Jerry’s, you name it. Listen to some great music, watch a movie or just gaze at the hundreds of cars parked at One Daytona. It’s FREE…..
For more information visit http://turkeyrun.com/
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