The custom car show is returning to the Hillsborough County fairgrounds for a second year.
One of Central Florida’s most diverse car shows is coming back to Hillsborough County.
The Made of Steel Show will return to the Hillsborough County fairgrounds on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22.
Heading into the show’s second year, creator Jeremy Caruthers is sure Made of Steel is going to continue to get bigger and better. This year’s vendors have already doubled the 2015 numbers.
“We already have 32 vendors and nearly 100 pre-registered vehicles,” Caruthers said.
Caruthers is hoping for a bigger guest turnout too. While 3,000 guests packed the fairgrounds for the first year of the show, Caruthers believes the show’s inclusiveness makes it a great fit for custom car aficionados everywhere.
“The whole premise of the show is to get every genre of gearhead and custom enthusiast in the same place,” Caruthers said.
Caruthers started Made of Steel last year because he thought Central Florida was lacking a quality car show.
“I was born and raised here,” Caruthers said. “There’s just nothing in Central Florida for everybody to attend.”
The show caters to custom cars, and Caruthers expects there will be between 500 to 700 vehicles this year. While custom cars are desired, the show welcomes exotic cars and classic cars, as well as trucks and bikes. This year’s event is hosted by HotRidesMag.com, Phat Tank’s Autobody & Phab and Crescendo Audio and Epicenter Designs.
“(The show) has a whole different laid-back feel to it,” Caruthers said. “With us, it’s, ‘Let’s enjoy the day, the weather. Let’s make new friends.’”
While there will be plenty of automobiles for spectators to check out, vendors also will be on the grounds and there will be a kids’ zone with free snacks and drinks provided by Lakeland’s Backyard Bouncarooz.
The two-day event will also feature multiple contests with cash prizes, including a pin-up contest and bikini contest. Specialty awards will be given to show participants, including awards for Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Interior and Best Stereo. The event will be covered by Street Trucks Magazine, Truckin’ Magazine and HotRidesMag.com, in addition to many other podcasts and magazines.
“It’s old school and new school,” Caruthers said. “We want everybody to get together.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
