Chuck is right. Here in Tampa, a short 30 minute (or less) drive from St. Pete via the Howard Franklin Bridge (2-75) and the veterans, is a local cruise in at the Insty Tune and Lube on Dale mabry. There's food and refreshments, music (thanks for the amplifier Chuck) and cars. Mostly vettes, but theres a local F-body guy that joins us regularly as well as a few other non-vettes that show up on occasion.
Sometimes we;ll get together with Andreh the local pro-wrench, and do a mod or repair to someones car, and othertimes, just hang out and BS.
We're usually there about 2-3 hours and you can come and go as you like. No fees, no BS, just good friends with a common interest.
It's also a great way to begin new friendships
You'll find this crowd to be very helpful to one another
A bit further (about an hour total depending on your point of origin) there's the vette gathering on Friday at Fermans in Brandon. Easiest way is probably 2-75 to I-4, east to 301 and south to SR 60.
Again, a come and go as you like atmosphere.
I was working with a local decades old 'Crusin establishment on hosting a car show/cruise in as you mentioned. This is one of the places where it all started in Tampa. I kind of let it go when the old F-body group fell apart. Probably going to try it again since they were VERY receptive to the idea
There's always Setzerson saturday night after the get together on Dale Mabry. I avoid him because he's obnoxious and microphonitis
That and he's been an azz in the past to a few vette members and some late model folks and i just don't care for that. I get enough of the jerks at work.
There's also the Burger King on
49th street in Pinellas Park on saturday nights. same kind of environment and as with all the others (except Setzers), there's no fee involved. Come and go as you like.
Sometimes the group from Insty Tune will caravan over to Pinellas Park for the show.
Let me know when you're in the area and I'll set you up with some events and some people, I really think you'll enjoy.
Gordon