Local Car Clubs in Crestview, FL

Whether you want to cruise in your classic car or hit the trails with other off-road enthusiasts, there’s a car club for you to join in Crestview, Florida. These clubs host many local events and area rides, offering you the chance to connect with others who share similar interests in automobiles. We’ve put this guide together to help you learn more about local car clubs in the Crestview area and discover some car shows you can attend in the Florida Panhandle.

Spanish Trail Cruisers

Classic cars by Ka!zen is licensed with CC BY 2.0

One of the most popular car clubs in Crestview, the Spanish Trail Cruisers takes its name from U.S. Highway 90, also known as the Old Spanish Trail, which runs through Crestview. Founded in 2000 by 40 automobile enthusiasts, the club has grown to include many members from the local community. They enjoy cruising together on the weekends, and the nonprofit group hosts “Show ‘n Shine” events once a month. The club also organizes participation in area car shows and supports other local groups, school programs, and charities in the community.

Each year, the Spanish Trail Cruisers hosts its annual club-sponsored car show on the third Saturday in April in downtown Crestview. The annual Average Joe Car Show, which recently celebrated its 22nd year, allows car owners to show off their classic or newer vehicles along Main Street. The car club awards prizes for first-, second-, and third-place finishers in each class with a trophy presentation ceremony for the winners. In addition, the event typically features a 50/50 drawing, cash drawings for registered participants, and space for local vendors.

Anyone with an interest in automobiles can join the club. Dues are $50 per year. Membership in the Spanish Trail Cruisers club includes access to publications, notices of all activities, and tickets to the club’s annual Christmas party. The club meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at Hideaway Pizza on Main Street in downtown Crestview. You can eat and socialize with other members for the first hour, and the meeting officially begins at 6:30 p.m.

Emerald Coast Jeepers

Based in nearby Milton, Florida, the Emerald Coast Jeepers car club is an active club for Jeep drivers and other off-road enthusiasts. This family-oriented club attracts members from across Northwest Florida. Emerald Coast Jeepers holds monthly meetings, and its members participate in local rides, tech classes, and various social outings in the area. As a not-for-profit group, the club aims to create opportunities for others to develop a love of Jeeps and other off-roading vehicles. It also focuses on protecting natural resources and chooses one local charity to support annually.

The club hosts local rides in the Milton area and out-of-town trips, including the Florida Jeep Jam in Panama City Beach and Sheriff’s JeepFest in Jasper, Georgia. The club often rides at Eglin Air Force Base Reservation, for which all its members need to have a recreation pass. It’s highly recommended to bring a CB radio so you can tune into the club’s “comedy channel” during your ride.

The club meets monthly at Grover T’s BBQ in Milton. Meetings take place at 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month. Non-club members of the public are welcome to come to the meetings to discuss Jeeps and four-wheel-drive vehicles with other members. If you want to apply for membership, you must attend at least one meeting or club event. Annual dues are collected in September.

Playground Corvette Club

Since its founding in 1969, the Playground Corvette Club has provided a space for sports car enthusiasts and is affiliated with the National Council of Corvette Clubs. Based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the club has members from Destin, Niceville, Crestview, and the surrounding area. Members share their technical advice, expertise, and experiences with others in the club.

The club hosts a variety of activities, including parades, rallies, car shows, and caravans. Its signature event, Vettes at the Village, is one of the first Corvette shows of the season. Vettes at the Village typically includes a show and shine as well as awards in various categories, including best of show, best engine, and best interior. Playground Corvette Club members also participate in civic activities throughout the year and hold fundraising activities to support local charities in the Florida Panhandle.

The club meets on the first Wednesday of each month in Fort Walton Beach. You can apply to become a member online. All members pay annual dues, which are due in October.

Car Club Events in Crestview, Florida

If you’re interested in attending a car show, here are a few local events being held in the Crestview area this year:

Hammers and Hotrods Car Show

The Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties will hold its first-ever Hammers and Hotrods Car Show on Aug. 27 in Fort Walton Beach. The event, which is open to the public, will feature classic cars and hot rods. You can register your car for the event before the show opens to the public at 10 a.m.

Location: Okaloosa Technical College, 1976 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton

Fords in the Fall

Fords in the Fall is an annual event sponsored by the Gulf Coast Regional Mustang Club. It highlights Ford and Ford-powered cars at a three-day show in Pensacola. This year, the show will be held Sept. 23–25. Cars in judged categories will be eligible for prizes, including trophies, plaques, and cash.

Location: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway, Pensacola

Rare Air Emerald Coast Volkswagen Show

Now in its 26th year, the Rare Air Emerald Coast Volkswagen Show features a swap meet and over 100 cars. Held in Pensacola, the event awards prizes in several categories, including the best of show, best paint, best engine, and longest distance traveled. The event also features a kids’ corner, a 50/50 drawing, and raffles, making it a fun event for the whole family. This year, it will take place on Oct. 15.

Location: Five Flags Speedway, 7451 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola

Now you know more about several local car clubs and events in the Crestview area. Are you interested in joining any of these clubs to meet other car aficionados? If you’re local, did we miss one of your favorite car clubs or events in the area? Send a message to Allen Turner Chevrolet and let us know. We’ll be happy to add it to our list. As a premier dealership in Northwest Florida, we enjoy spotlighting the car community and helping others develop a lifelong love of automobiles.