Second Fast and Furry car show deemed a success
Published 6:02 pm Tuesday, August 30, 2016
It was cool rides and hot rods on display last Saturday as the Second Annual “Fast & Furry” Car Show got underway at the Butler County Fairgrounds.
A total of 57 of 60 vehicles entered from Alabama, Georgia and Florida were lined up on the field, 11 more than at last year’s inaugural show. The event, a fundraiser for the Greenville Animal Shelter, raised $3,100 for the care of the city’s and county’s homeless animals.
“We are very excited about that much growth after just one year,” said Kayla Garlock, one of the event organizers.
Not only did the number of vehicles participating increase, the event also saw the addition this year of craft vendors in the exhibit hall and concessions offered by the McKenzie School Boosters. Handmade wreaths, wood crafts, jewelry, candles, woven baskets, children’s toys and more were on offer to attendees.
Vehicles from 1920s to the 2000s were on display at the show, with A 1921 Model T Ford from Pensacola owned by the Roberts family earning a lot of interest. The almost-century old auto is still in working order, with Sammy Roberts demonstrating the crank mechanism as he started up the car, proudly pointing out the “MADE IN THE USA” stamped in the metal of its engine.
A total of 43 trophies were presented Saturday, including several to vintage vehicle enthusiasts in and from this area. Joseph Brown of Greenville’s 1930 Model A Coupe were voted the number two vehicle out of the Top 20, while fellow Greenvillians Angie Mount’s 1968 Ford Mustang placed number 6 and Terry Prater’s ‘69 Chevy Chevelle earned the number 7 spot. Bruce Bennett of Pine Apple (and formerly of Greenville) took the number eight spot for his 1930 Ford Coupe.
Speaking of Fords, Greenville’s Ronnie and Jane Adams’ bright yellow 1936 two-door took top honors as the best vehicle of that brand.
Other local winners include Ernie Floyd of Greenville, who earned the trophy for “Diamond in the Rough” for his 1923 Ford-Chevrolet Rat Rod; Julian Olive of Georgiana, awarded “Most Original” for his 1972 Ford Pinto; Kenny McGough of Honoraville, who earned the number 11 spot in the Top 20 for his 1971 Mercury Comet; Buddy Sullivan of Greenville, 3rd Place Motorcycle for his 2009 Yahama Royal Venture; Andy Brown of Greenville, awarded “Lucky Dog” for his 1968 Ford Mustang GT; Greenville’s James Clemmons’ 1994 Chevy Cavalier took “Run Around” honors and Honoraville’s Debbie McGough, whose 1970’s orange Dodge Dart was a sponsor’s pick by Greenville Tire Co. LLC.
Other sponsor picks: State Farm Agent Abbie Ballew chose the red and white ‘57 Ford Fairlane owned by Tim Fuentes of Montgomery; Southern Mint Boutique picked Drew Piper of Fort Rucker’s 1967 Chevy Camaro, and GEMS Ambulance’s favorite was Donnie McGinnis’s cherry red 1934 Dodge Coupe.
Additional category winners include “Best Rat Rod,” Steve Holt, Baker, Fla.; “Best Paint,” Dwayne and Jacqueline Hall, Montgomery; “Best Engine,” Ronald Kennedy, Brantley; “Best Interior,” Jerry Godwin, Brantley,“Pick of the Litter” (Shelter Pick), Wayne Mayhan, Millbrook; “Best MOPAR,” Davis Downs, Hoover; “Best Chevy,” Frank Johnson, Donalsonville, Ga., and “Ruff and Tuff,” R.D. Helms, Crestview.
“Organizing an event like this is a lot of fun. We hope to see our numbers increase every year,” said Garlock.
Linda Morton, who attended the show with her husband, Butler County Humane Society president Herbert Morton, has no doubt that will happen.
“I can see this car show growing and the vendor participation growing, too,” said Morton. “What a wonderful thing for the Garlock family to do. I counted four generations of them here helping with the event. It’s a great thing to do for the animals and for our community.”