FLEMING ISLAND – Local residents showed up to take in the excellent weather, marvel at more than 140 exotic cars and participate in the best-dressed in 1950’s attire competition Saturday at the 13th annual Back to the Fifties Car Show at the Town Hall Event Center.

“It’s a very nice day; it’s a little hotter than we expected. But we appreciate the sunshine,” said Teri Hurihane of the Clay County Cruzers. “We had expected about 150 cars, and our registration was right at that, about 148 or something. It’s our first time here at the Town Center. Everybody seems to be enjoying and we’ve got a lot of room where everybody is able to social distance. It’s going real well.”

The club raffled off several prizes such as a firepit of smores, a salad bowl of dollars and a Bloody Mary basket. There were also door prizes for people who brought their cars.

Gary Arca’s 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air won Best of Show, while Keith Carlasco’s 2017 Factory Five 818C won the Kid’s Choice award and Mike Buddecke’s 1932 Hudson Essex won the Tow Hall Event Center Choice award. The Callahan Cruisers of North Florida were honored for having the most members in attendance.

Wayne and Judy Newkirk of Jacksonville were one of two couples who took plaques for best-dressed. The other couple who was awarded was Garrett and Valeria Waters of Oakleaf.

Wayne Newkirk wore a pink polo with jeans and Penny Loafers, which he said have been with him since the 1950s – he graduated from high school in 1959. His wife Judy matched with a pink shirt and ribbons in her hair in the 50s style.

After all of the raffles, door prize giveaways and the best-dressed competition, the Cruzers made $1,000 donations to local charitable organizations, including Quigley House, Vietnam Veterans of America, SAFE Animal Shelter and AMI Kids.

Gary Newman, Naval veteran and vice-president of the Florida State Council of VVA, accepted a donation on behalf of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1059.

“On behalf of all Vietnam Vets, I’d like to say thank you very much for this donation,” said Newman. “The Clay Cruzers have been very supportive of us, and we appreciate it very much.”