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STARS* Show 2007 - Article in High Performance Pontiac
Magazine
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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. |
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STARS - Southern Trans Am Regional Show
Phone: (850) 863-9516 Fax: (850) 864-2212 Email:
info@starsfl.org
Copyright © 2007 Southern Trans Am Regional Show®. All
Rights Reserved | Site by
VTD,
Inc.
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