Story and photos by Seth Payan
There’s a car enthusiast in almost all of us.
Even if you don’t know a single thing about a common car or a supercar that you notice on the street, you automatically understand the prestige that comes with a Lamborghini, a Ferrari or this vehicle that you don’t even know the name of but has everyone staring as they pass by.
The Vinoy Renaissance Hotel in St. Petersburg hosted the 16th annual Festivals of Speed event Jan. 12 at Vinoy Park. More than 300 exotic cars, motorcycles and boats were showcased along the bay while music, food, drinks and awards were all present as thousands of people cycled through during the day.
The event also provided the opportunity for exotic car dealerships to set up shop and display their own cars for enticed onlookers to inquire about, bringing business to the community.
“I think this car show really helps bring out people from around and outside the community,” said Colton Bailey, 21, a USF St. Petersburg student and car enthusiast. “Events like these come few and far between, so people feel like they have to be a part of it while it lasts. And so many people love it, as they come out in droves every year.”
Exotic car owners from around the area were able to apply on the festival’s website and pay a small fee to showcase their rides. This gave members of the community a chance to establish relationships within the festival and an opportunity to gain exposure for their social media sites.
“Sometimes I’ll see a really expensive car here that I recognize from around town, which I think is really cool,” Bailey said. “The first couple of times, it’s kind of surprising how ordinary a lot of the owners look, considering they own $500,000 cars.”
Just getting a glimpse of something so incredibly expensive and foreign is always an attractive opportunity to families in the area. These outrageous toys sometimes seem to only exist in video games and movies, so seeing them in real life can be breathtaking and memorable.
“It really helps connect the community, combining the real car fanatics with the lesser-knowing folks,” Bailey said. “There’s something here that’s fun and entertaining for everyone.”
The Festivals of Speed hosts events in St. Petersburg once a year before moving on to other parts of the Southeast, such as Orlando, Hallandale and Alpharetta, GA.
More information can be found at www.festivalsofspeed.com.
