Southern Trans Am Regional Show - "Stars" Studded Show

The Sixth Annual Southern Trans Am Regional Show (STARS) proved to be spectacular this year for the 95 Firebirds and Trans Ams that attended. Approximately 200 people came from as far away as Arizona and North Dakota to enjoy Florida's largest single display of stock to wildly modified Trans Ams, Formulas, Firebirds and Firehawks.

The STARS was held from March 16-18, 2007, in Destin, Florida. The weather was beautiful with clear skies, brisk morning temperatures, pleasantly warm afternoons and, of course, incredible Trans Ams.

This year, the STARS changed locations to the Destin Commons, a main-street-style shopping complex and home of the Bass Pro Shop. It allowed thousands of Destin and Fort Walton Beach residents, tourists, and dedicated F-body fans to enjoy the show. The location change was applauded by most of the attendees. Families enjoyed the event, while also shopping in the retail stores of the Destin Commons.

Many participants arrived on March 16th to beat the weekend crowds, register and pass through the tech line early. Then attendees enjoyed a beach dinner at Sterling Shores Condo. There, as the sun set against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico, registrants had a chance to relax after their drives to the event, and to mingle with other Trans Am lovers in attendance.

On the morning of March 17th, attendees packed the Destin Commons' spacious parking area for car washing, tech line, registration, and the car show display. By 10:00 a.m., the two-sided gentle S-curve of the Destin Commons' main street was lined with Firebirds and Trans Ams from every generation. T/As flaunted their stuff in front of the retail stores. With single-row parking on each side of Main Street, every Bird had a perfect parking spot.

After a full day of showing off, a beach cruise with Trans Ams and Firebirds proceeded out from the Destin Commons parking lot and north up Destin's Gulf Boulevard to the beach. With sirens blaring from a string of the local sheriff's Smokey-cars, it appeared that a whole consortium of multi-generation T/As was getting pulled over Buford T. Justice-style. Not to worry, the sheriffs were hired to provide escort for the cruise.

Then attendees enjoyed a seaside dinner at "The Back Porch," followed by a big screen double feature: Smokey Yunick and John DeLorean from a past POCI Convention, followed by Smokey and the Bandit. After the movies, attendees met for a pre-planned after-dark rendezvous at "Howl at the Moon," a local dueling piano bar. It was after midnight when the day's long and fun-filled activities finally wound down

March 18th proved to be the most beautiful day of the show with a warm morning, which led to a picture-perfect afternoon. Crowds were large; everybody from kids to great-grand-parents wanted to get close to the Trans Ams. The points judges stayed hard at work ensuring every one of the Pontiacs in attendance was professionally judged. After three great days, the STARS concluded at 5:00 p.m., when trophies were awarded to the best Firebirds and T/As in attendance.

All in all, the representation of Trans Ams and Firebirds was impressive, with examples from '67 all the way to '02. It was evident that the show's promoters took great pride in it. Every aspect of tech, registration, instructions and display was handled efficiently and professionally.

The Seventh Annual STARS is scheduled for March 2008 but the date has yet to be set. For further information visit www.starsfl.org or call (850) 863-9516.