The Turkey Run, South Daytona, Florida, has been brought to you for 39 years by volunteers from the Daytona Beach Street Rods and Daytona Beach Car Shows.
We’re proud to say that the Daytona Turkey Run is now held twice a year. The 3rd weekend in March and Thanksgiving weekend. We continue the tradition that has made the Turkey Run one of the premier auto hobby events is the USA. Come and join us and have some fun with old cars!
The Turkey Run was created in 1974 by the Daytona Beach Street Rods. The clubs president, Stu Sarjeant and his four year old son Jim had previously attempted to enter their 1923 Ford Hot Rod in the 1973 Ormond Beach AACA Gaslight Parade. They were denied entry as no modified cars were permitted. The following year, Sarjeant started the very first Turkey Run. This event hosted 45 cars and was held at the Howard Johnson hotel across from Bellair Plaza across from the beach.
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 association 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 1,520 show quality cars and 250 swap meet vendors.
Today, the Daytona Turkey Run boasts over 6,000 show cars and over 1,000 swap meet vendors, making it the largest classic car show in the United States.
