Reported By Saul Saenz
DAYTONA BEACH -- Car lovers know they can expect to see unique cars every Thanksgiving for the annual Turkey Rod Run.
It’s an event that started 36 years ago and got so big, it split off into another one at Daytona International Speedway.
The problem is some still come to the same parking lot they have for 36 years, and now there's no one to organize it.
"(Do you know who the organizers are?) No sir. (So anyone can come over with a list and ask for your number?) That's right. Yes, sir. I don't know. Nobody never ever introduced themselves to us since I've been coming," said Ricky Handman, a car owner.
Police are unsure what to do with an event not sanctioned by the city. They just know they have to control traffic.
Car owners, who come for miles, feel the cold shoulder and are unsure if can continue their tradition here.
"Well we never know from year to year," Al Sommer said.
"You never know what you're going to be up against when you get here," Handman said.
"It's a different venue. In 2007 they wanted us to shut the lot down and nobody was coming in, and then they reached an agreement,” Police Chief Mike Chitwood said. “In 2008, something else came up about it and here we are in 2009."
Faced with a shrinking special events budget and an event with no organizer, Chitwood put his foot down and told parking lot owners they would have to pay for special law enforcement detail on private property, which they agreed to do this year.
However, Turkey Rod Run participants remain uncertain if they'll be welcomed back next year.
The annual car show runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the show is open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
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