Record 186 cars enter Project 25 car show in Bay County

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -The American Muscle Car Club’s annual Project 25 car show set a record this year, with 186 cars entered, according to club President Troy Brown.

The show benefits the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Project 25 program, which provides Christmas gifts to local children in need.

Cars ranged from classic rides to custom builds. Brown said participants traveled from other states for the event.

“We have people that came from North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, all to come down just for this car show,” Brown said.

Each person who registers a car brings a toy worth $20 or more or gives $20, Brown said.

“Every time someone comes and registers their car, they bring a toy worth 20 dollars or more or they give us 20 dollars, all that goes back to the kids here in Bay County,” Brown said.

The American Muscle Car Club has hosted the show for 25 years, raising money and donations for the Project 25 program.

Club member Cynthia Ellis said the show allows more children to receive gifts.

“When we hold this Project 25 car show, a lot of kids that would not get gifts, would, and I’m really appreciative to that because a lot of people can’t afford them. And this is what this show means to me, and I’m so happy to see so many people show up for the children of Bay County,” Ellis said.

“I just want to make sure all the kids here in Bay County have something to open for Christmas,” Ellis said.

Brown has been part of the tradition since 2015. After seeing the show’s impact on local families, he made it his mission to help carry it forward each year.

Brown described a moment from his first year of involvement.

“I was able to fill 11 carts full of toys for kids, and that’s 11 kids that were going to get presents to open up on Christmas, and I just truly, that moment I realized what I was involved in. I was involved in something a lot bigger than myself, a lot bigger than the cars,” Brown said.

Along with the toy donations, some of the show’s proceeds will go toward the Project 25 program. Fundraising efforts will continue throughout the month.

People who want to support Project 25 can contact Amanda Edging in the Community Services Division at (850) 248-2159.

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