Lined up alongside the waters of Lake Dora, classic cars shone under a sunny Florida sky during the Tavares Lakefront Cars, Food and Market event on Aug. 21.
Communities from Ocala to Leesburg and places in between host car shows as a family-friendly outdoor activity.
Anne Scharer, founder of One Stop Wellness and Events, said, as a car enthusiast with a passion for helping small businesses, she’s proud to organize the monthly Tavares Lakefront Cars, Food and Market that brings food trucks, merchant vendors and live music to Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St., Tavares.
“I love cars,” Scharer said. “The main one I love is the Volkswagen buses — the old ones, not the new ones. This is their second event with us and everyone just smiles when they see the VW coming in. We are hoping to continue to grow with the classic cars we have, but I would really like to see the Tin Lizzie’s in there and the amphibious car, of course, because Tavares is the seaplane capital.”
As a new addition to the recurring event, the car show features Rising Stars, a community talent showcase open to amateur performers in categories ages 10 to 17 years old and 18 and up.
The debut talent show featured five students competing in the 10- to 17-year-old category.
Isabella Bakker started the friendly competition singing “War” from “The Lost Boys” musical.
Next, Shiann Wojciechowski showcased her talent by singing “Broken Window Serenade” by Whiskey Myers.
Isabella’s younger brother, Paxton, performed “I’m Alive” from the musical “Next to Normal” before Bryce Sharp, who also plays at restaurants in Sawgrass and Spanish Springs, ended the show by playing guitar and singing “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan.
Isabella won the first monthly talent show and took home $100.
Scharer, who also is a youth arts coach, said she enjoys seeing young people shine and work on their confidence.
“My passion is the arts,” she said. “It helps you connect spiritually and get out of the left brain, which is what we are spending so much time being in. This event is a way to put down your phone and actually be present and get some relaxation. This is also a beautiful venue right on Lake Dora and the setup from the city creates the unique spot.
“We have people coming from all over,” Scharer said. “That’s the point: to bring people to the city who haven’t seen how nice it is here. We would like to see some group work in the future. We didn’t have anyone sign up for the 18 and over category, but we hope it will grow.”
The next Tavares Lakefront Cars, Food and Market and Rising Stars event is Sept. 18. For more information about the event, visit tavaresfl.gov or tranquilitiwellnesscenter.com.
Bikes, Jeeps and Antiques Car Show Looking to bring the Marion County community together and support a good cause, the Bikes, Jeeps and Antique Car Show, hosted by Bikers Against Bullies, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at Four Smokes BBQ, 3100 SW College Road, Ste. 3090, Ocala.
There will be food, vendors and music to complement the main event: a display of cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Money raised through the $20 entry fee will be donated to Aubryn GY6, an Ocala-based nonprofit honoring first responders, veterans and active military.
Aubryn GY6 hosts fundraisers and community scavenger hunts throughout the year to support first responders. The biggest event of the year for the nonprofit is its first responders Christmas eve party.
Sarah Barnes, president of Aubryn GY6, said the nonprofit was started by her 12-year-old daughter, Aubryn. It’s goal is to connect the community with its first responders.
“First responders are usually meeting people at the worst time of their lives,” Barnes said. “This event gives people the chance to have a positive interaction with first responders. Not only does it help build a connection, it helps build trust with the community they serve. It’s a great morale booster to let our local first responders know that people truly care and have their six.”
For more information about the car show or the nonprofit, search for the “Aubryn’s GY6” Facebook page.
Leesburg offers two other car show to check out.
Street Dreams Cruising hosts the Leesburg Main Street Car Show from 3 to 6 p.m. the second Saturday of every month on Historic Downtown Main Street, 510 W Main Street.
Chicago Fire Brewery and Tap Room, 311 W. Magnolia St., Leesburg, hosts its Cool Cars Under the Stars from 5 to 8 p.m. the third Thursday of every month.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
