While we enjoy attending many events all over Florida, each year we also look forward to hosting our own. This year our Beach Blast turned Sweet 16, with the “official” show date falling on Sunday, May 16th, 2010. Though it has been held in the same location in Cocoa Beach since its inception, with the Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach Resort having been sold during the previous year it now takes place at the International Palms Resort & Conference Center located at 1300 N. Atlantic Ave. (A1A). It is the same great facility, just with a different name and under new management.

Once again the event was made possible by our main sponsor, Ron Hassel of All-Midwest Sales, a major parts manufacturers’ representative company. Advance Auto Parts returned again to not only co-sponsor the show, but also be the main door prize sponsor. Eagle One also contributed a bucket full of their car care items to be given away as door prizes, and the combination of all these companies coming together once again made it possible for all of us to have fun at the Beach Blast. Please keep them all in mind when it comes time to buy items for your car, and support those that have given back to our hobby for so many years.

The Beach Bast could also not happen without those who help us run the event, so a huge “Thank You” goes out to Bob Arnold, Jack Messemer, Billy Craft, and Ed Fitzpatrick. They put in lots of hours to ensure things go smoothly, and we can’t express our gratitude enough for their hard work, and continued friendship. We’d also like to thank Golf Carts Unlimited (321-268-4882) for providing us with several great golf carts, which really come in handy over the 3 or 4 days of the event.

Mention of Cocoa Beach still conjures up memories of the TV show “I Dream Of Jeanie”, and the nearby NASA space program at Kennedy Space Center. In fact this year we had a treat as Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on Friday afternoon. Since the show has turned into a multi-day gathering that meant many of the participants were already on hand to witness the launch. We personally walked down the winding brick promenade that runs from the entrance of the hotel along A1A back to the beach in time to watch the launch, with lots of others doing the same. There was plenty of clapping and cheering, and it made for a great start for what would become another memorable weekend. Other popular activities were the casino cruises out of Port Canaveral, Ron Jon Surf Shop which is just two miles north on A1A, the hotel’s huge pool area (which even includes a Pirate Ship water park for the kids), the beach itself, plus many other fun outings that can be had in the area. This combination has made the Beach Blast a family friendly event since its inception, and many participants have told us that as such it has become a “must attend” annual event for them and their loved ones....even among those members of the family who don’t make the car show their focus (gasp!).

Friday and Saturday nights both featured a “cruise-in” atmosphere in the front lot of the hotel, with Butch and Jennifer Johnston of WJBJ Cruisin’ With The Classics providing the great tunes, plus heading up a couple of big 50/50 raffles. We also give out the registration packets to those in attendance from 7:00-9:00pm on Friday and Saturday nights, which included a magnetic dash plaque and one free T-Shirt with great original Beach Blast artwork by Adam Icenogle, both printed by Daytona Trophy.

Vouchers for promenade parking were given out to about 50 or 60 vehicles based on a first come first served basis on Friday at 9:00pm, with those vehicles moving into the promenade area on Saturday morning starting at 10:00am. This meant that on Sunday the majority of the vehicles were already in place, making everything run smoothly as the remainder of the participants arrived. Participant voting took place on Sunday, determining the recipients of the Top 40 awards. After a full day of fun, and more rockin’ tunes by WJBJ, door prizes were given out on Sunday at 3:00pm on the Ocean Deck, followed by the awards, and finally a huge 50/50 raffle.

Due to space restrictions at the hotel the Beach Blast has always been limited to 200 vehicles, with registration spots selling out within a month of us opening it every year on January 1st (this year it only took 20 days). While we have tried to expand the show in years past, there has always been a snag along the way with the hotel management that kept it from becoming a reality. However, in working with the new International Palms Resort personnel, we feel very confident that for 2011 we will indeed expand the spots available, and already have a plan proposed and tentatively accepted. However, with the loyal following this show has gathered over the years we still expect spots to be at a premium, and registration to fill up quickly. Pre-registration for next year’s Beach Blast 17 will open on January 1st, 20011, with printable registration forms available on our web site (here), plus there will be forms in the January issue of our printed magazine. Though we are expecting to expand beyond the 200 vehicle limit we’ve always had, be sure and act early if you plan to attend so you don’t get caught on the outside looking in. We look forward to seeing everyone again, and having another fun Beach Blast! CN

 

SPECIALTY AWARDS:
Best Paint: Charles Scott • 1972 Dodge Challenger
Best Engine: Kenny Long • 1969 Chevy Camaro
Best Interior: John Kostelic • 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2-Door
Tom Staggs Memorial: David Gilliam • 1969 Olds Cutlass
Cruise News Choice: Bob Gilliam • 1955 Chevy Bel Air
Best Of Show: James Stewart • 1967 Chevelle SS

TOP 40:
Jeff & Linda Cervenka • 1962 Chevy Corvette
Michael & Jeannine Weaver • 1969 Firebird Convert.
Michael & Peggy Defrancisco • 1968 Dodge Charger
Don & Pat Raker • 1955 Cadillac 2-Door Hardtop
Fred Golsner • 1956 Ford Crown Victoria
Steve Edenfield • 1932 Ford 3-Window
Ryan Edenfield • 1941 Willys Coupe
Harry & Gail Buffkin • 1940 Ford Pickup
Sam & Carol Mascia • 1961 Chevy Impala SS
Jay Bernard • 1969 Chevy El Camino SS
Gail & Harry Burrkin • 1932 Ford Hiboy Roadster
Robert Ridner • 1969 Chevy Camaro
John & Donna Rio • 1966 Ford Fairlane
Jeff & Cindy Sawicki • 1969 Ford Mustang
Jimmy Polk • 1957 Ford Thunderbird
Frank Dillander • 1938 Chevy Sedan
Kelcie Losh • 1964 Chevy Nova
Terry Rodgers • 1995 Impala SS Pro-Street
Gerry Houck • 1935 La Fayette Business Coupe
Karel Watkins • 1938 Lincoln Zephyr
Wayne & Judy Newkirk • 1935 Ford Tudor Sedan
Mike Searle • 1955 Chevy Bel Air Sedan
Bert Bowman • 1954 Chevy Pickup
Randy Nelson • 1923 Ford Track Roadster
David Donaldson • 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe
Herb Samuels • 1959 Chevy Apache Pickup
Martin & Wil Nielsen • 1960 VW Double Cab Pickup
Bill & Jane Nice • 1966 Chevy Chevelle
Keith Ward • 1933 Ford Pickup
Darrell Johnson Sr. • 1955 Chevy Bel Air
Jeanne Kilgore • 1969 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible
Brian Moss • 1965 Chevy II Nova
Tom Brown • 1935 Packard Roadster
Tim Brown • 1967 Camaro
Philip Holz • 1959 Chevy Impala Convertible
Howard & Sue Krusey • 1932 Ford Roadster
Richard Roghelia • 1973 Ford Mustang Convertible
Steve & Leslie Marbais • 1953 Ford F100 Pickup
Mike Karlene • 1969 Chevy Corvette
Ken Paparella • 1969 Chevy Camaro