Overcast skies and a welcome breeze allowed the hottest thing at the Butler County fairgrounds last Saturday to be the dazzling array of vehicles on display there. The 3rd annual Fast and Furry Car Show and Arts and Crafts, a fundraiser for the Greenville Animal Shelter, raised more than $4,000, said event organizer Kayla Garlock.

“This is our our best year so far. We have 71 entries here today, which is 10 to 15 more than we had last year,” Garlock said as she roamed the fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon, shooting photos of all the vehicles. “And we had about triple the amount of early registrations this year, too. There was more interest shown by vendors, car owners and spectators.”

A total of 39 trophies was handed out Saturday afternoon. Greenville winners include Ronnie Adams with his 1936 Ford sedan among the Top 20 in the show, and his wife Jane, whose 2005 Honda S-2000 took the trophy for Best Import; Joseph Brown, 1930 Ford Model A Coupe, Top 20; James Clemmons, 1994 Chevy Cavalier, Best Interior; Ronald Mount, 1968 Ford Mustang, Top 20 and Terry Prater, 1969 Chevy Chevelle, SWAHII award.

Trophy winners from elsewhere in the area included McKenzie’s Allen Padgett, 1965 Chevy Chevelle, Top 20; Luverne’s Laurence Hinnant, 1971 Chevy Nova, Top 20; Honoraville’s Debbie McGough,1970 Dodge Dart Swinger, Top 20; Luverne’s Glenn Murry, 1950 Chevy Truck, Top 20; Brantley’s Debbie Moseley, 1935 Chevy Coupe, Top 20; Kelley Flowers, Brantley, 1931 Hudson Eight and Ronald Kennedy, Brantley, 1942 Ford truck.

There was more than just classic cars and trucks, vintage hot rods and tricked-out motorcycles for “gearheads” to admire and discuss with their owners. Booths between the exhibit hall and livestock building offered concessions to quench attendees’ thirsts and stave off any hunger pangs.

Additionally,  arts and crafts and specialty products were on display, including seasonal woodcraft decorations, embroidered linens, hand-stitched children’s clothes, skincare systems, handmade jewelry, wooden furniture and more.

Dana Whiddon of Sweet Heart Alabama, who had her logo collection of clothing and a selection of natural beauty and health products on offer, invited folks to come inside her travel trailer “Towanda.” The inconic Airstream’s interior showcased a cozy retro charm. “I just love that we have an Airstream right here in Greenville now,” said car show attendee Casey Rogers.

“I’ve always thought they were cool!”

Animal control officers Kristi S. Sexton and Christy D. Sexton were on hand to take donations and offer homemade dog treats for sale.

Kids in attendance got to enjoy unlimited jumps in the event’s bouncy castle for one low price. Music lovers could park themselves on one of the bleachers set up near the main stage and listen to KAOSS’s special blend of classic and southern rock and country tunes. The popular local band played from noon until 2 p.m., performing hits like “Jolene,” “My Home’s in Alabama,” “Honky-Tonky Woman,” “Hurts So Good” and “Long-Haired Country Boy.”

“I’m really glad the band was able to perform for us,” said Lisa Garlock, another member of the Garlock family who helps put on the car show. “I’ve heard many positive comments about them today!”

Rosie Till, KAOSS’s female vocalist, said the group “had a lot of fun.”

“It’s for a great cause. We love having the chance to give back to the community.”

Kayla Garlock, who has been a classic car fan since childhood and enjoys traveling to car shows to display her own special ride, said her family and friends came together to bring an annual car show to the area for local car enthusiasts to enjoy in their own backyard. “The only thing we were missing was who to donate the money we raised to. We asked the Greenville shelter and they were very excited . . . we started to get sponsors and spread the word through other car shows and social media.”

The Garlock family has worked so hard, in fact, that the shelter’s animal control officers presented the family with a special plaque on Saturday in appreciation of their efforts to help the city/county shelter through the annual car show.

The family members proudly posed with the officers for a photo as the car show wound down and the colorful array of Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Mercury, Hudson, VW, Honda and Indian cars, trucks and motorcycles headed out of the fairgrounds.

“We really appreciate all of our sponsors and supporters,” Kayla Garlock said. “I think everything went extremely well.”