The Carlisle Events staff traveled to Zephyrhills, Florida with the intention of putting on the best Winter AutoFest of all time and succeeded! The 39th offering of the annual and very popular event in Pasco County saw a record number of enthusiasts pass through the gates, plus over 2,000 vending and car corral spaces were filled with memorabilia, merchandise, parts and cars; all for sale by owner. The two-day auto auction saw a 60% sell through rate, plus over $2 million in total sales. In addition, family fun took center stage with monster truck rides, police demonstrations and a Friday cruise-in and movie screening. Overall, the event was a major success.

Winter AutoFest turns 40 in 2014 and you can be part of the fun today. Contact Carlisle Events for details on getting involved. The event takes place February 20-23.

Join local and regional "car folks" for a monthly cruise-in at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Gall Boulevard on the north side of Zephyrhills. The cruise is open to all styles and era of vehicle and takes place during the second Saturday of each month. There is no cost to participate and best of all, Five Guys may even have a drink or side discount available for you. For more details on how to be involved, e-mail AutoFest event manager Jim Brady. With ample parking and an ideal climate, be sure to join in the fun monthly.

The address for the cruise location is 7654 Gall Blvd, Zephyrhills, Florida, 33541.

• Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Be part of the auction excitement on Friday and Saturday at Festival Park for the ever-popular collector car auction. This auction sees nearly 300 cars cross the block and cars are frequently run in the following categories: Muscle Car, Street Rod, Classic Car, Antique, Luxury, Exotic, Race Car, Sports Car, Specialty Truck and Motorcycle. If you are interested in machines that fall in these groups, consider attending as a spectator. If you've got something special you'd like to sell, contact Carlisle Events today at 717-243-7855 for consignment options.

• Zephyrhills Auction Facebook
• Zephyrhills Auction Website

Whether you call it a swap meet, automotive flea market or auto jumble, one of the highlights at Zephyrhills is its massive area of new and used auto parts and accessories. You'll find everything from engines to transmissions, axles to chassis, steering to tail lights and just about everything in between. There is also a great selection of memorabilia available, including vintage signs, gas pumps, toys and more. The swap meet provides a perfect outlet to find a hidden gem or missing resto piece for your at- home project. Product conditions will vary, but rest assured you’ll find great shopping at Zephyrhills.

The car corral is where individuals offer vehicles only (no parts, etc.) for sale. You can shop and make the deal directly with the owner. Spaces are approximately 10’ frontage x 30’ depth. This winter, be sure to secure your space in order to sell your collector car. If you are a buyer, don't miss a great chance to walk Festival Park and browse a wide array of vehicles for sale. Deal directly with the owner and broker a deal in no time. For car corral information, contact Carlisle Events at 717-243-7855.

Winter AutoFest is pleased to welcome Ron and Shelley Kujat as well as their Shell-Camino Monster Truck to Festival Park. The truck and crew will provide Monster Truck rides between Thursday and Sunday during normal event hours and everyone is encouraged to go for a spin.

The truck itself has a retro-fitted bed to host passengers and is a 1972 Chevy El Camino. The truck will give rides for a nominal fee, $8 for a single ride, $15 for two. The ride takes place rain or shine. The truck can hold up to nine adults or 12 children, so bring the entire family and be part of a once in a life time experience.

• Shell-Camino Monster Truck
• Shell-Camino on Facebook

Join Tampa Bay's Q105 FM and morning man Mason Dixon for a very special Friday only cruise-in as part of Winter AutoFest. The cruise will help celebrate 40 years of the iconic Hollywood film American Graffiti as well as 40 years of music with Q105. Cars and enthusiasts are invited to cruise-in at any point throughout the day on Friday (2/22).

The fee to participate is $20 by pre-registering or $25 if done onsite, but that cost not only covers admission for two, it also affords the participant a limited edition dash plaque, special reserved parking and gives them access to a special evening screening of American Graffiti. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds benefit the Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Fund as well as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. There will also be "celebrity choice" awards, picked by local media, enthusiasts and dignitaries. The selection process takes place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with awards at 4 p.m.

The cruise-in will dismiss from Festival Park around 5 p.m. and the movie screening will take place at the Shops at Wiregrass in nearby Wesley Chapel, starting between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to assure their comfort while watching the film.

No "for sale" signs are allowed on cars participating in the cruise-in.

• Register Now
• Christmas Wish Fund
• Directions - Venue to Screening Location

Adults who bring a child to Winter AutoFest are encouraged to visit with the Zephyrhills Police Department for a free fingerprint identification kit. This is a great way to have your child's prints on file for safety and security purposes. In addition, the ZPD will showcase their furry partners with K-9 demonstrations. A complete schedule, including times and days they'll be onsite is forthcoming.

• Zephyrhills Police Department

Camping in the rough is available for this event. Restroom and shower facilities are available onsite and you'll have access to water to fill your tank and a sewer dump station for your convenience. Camping costs just $80 for the entire weekend (Thursday - Sunday), which includes admission for two. Certain discounts may apply depending on when you register. Campers arriving prior to Thursday will be charged an additional $10 per early night for admission to the campgrounds. Also, towed vehicles will be charged $10 (extra) for the entire weekend.

Insurance constraints prohibit golf carts, scooters, mopeds, mini bikes, ATV's or similar vehicles. All pets must be on a leash and kept in the campground area. No pets permitted in Flea Market or Auction area.

Can't make the auction but still want to be part of the auction excitement? No problem! Courtesy of RealTimeBid.com, you can browse the lot and place your bid. The process is secure, safe and best of all, in real time. Don't miss out on a collector gem just because you are unable to attend the event. Click the link below and get involved today!

• Bid Online

By attending events at Festival Park, you are guaranteed to never have to walk too far to enjoy the fun. With over 200 acres of property, you can be certain that getting on and off site is simple. Plus, when you buy your parts and memorabilia onsite, it’s a short return trip to store your wares. With plenty of spaces available, you'll be amazed at the convenience of it all.