• After an Amazing Fall Event in Lakeland, Carlisle Events Returns in February

• Winter Florida AutoFest Invades the SUN 'n FUN Complex for Four Action Packed Days

LAKELAND, FL – The sand (it would be dust in the north) hasn't even settled yet on Carlisle Events' first offering, Fall Florida AutoFest at the SUN 'n FUN complex, and already the team from America's Automotive Hometown in Carlisle, Pennsylvania is prepping for a return to Lakeland for another large scale event. After 20,000+ guests converged on the Polk County facility in November, nearly double that is expected for Winter Florida AutoFest, February 25-28.

Having previously been held in Zephyrhills, the event outgrew its footprint which necessitated the move to Lakeland. Now, with momentum moving forward from the fall show, all of the history, glitz and glamour of what made things at Zephyrhills so grand will be on full display in Lakeland starting February 25.

Almost everything that made the fall show so successful returns with some new features, including an orphan car themed car display and other aspects to announced soon. Popular known features include an automotive based swap meet where pieces, parts, merchandise and collectibles are for sale, a car corral that allows for person to person sales of classic and collector cars, plus the two-day collector car auction presented by Carlisle Auctions. The November auction sold out weeks in advance and moved millions of dollars worth of classics. For anyone who loves watching auctions on TV, they can again experience one in person with over 400 classics ready to move!

Also returning are a pair of car shows; Cars and Coffee on February 27 backed by the duPont REGISTRY and a two-day car show powered by Carlisle Events on February 27-28. In addition, the Air & Coach Concours returns for those who enjoy living and traveling in luxury, there are more plane rides, the onsite Aerospace Museum will once again be open and the weekend will even have at least one very special guest!

Onsite for three of the four event days will be Tom Wopat, star of stage, screen and TV. Wopat, best known as Luke Duke from TV's Dukes of Hazzard, will meet with fans of the iconic program Friday, Saturday and Sunday of event weekend. His appearance will be flanked with at least one General Lee orange Dodge Charger and a Hazzard theme is expected for the event. More details about Wopat himself and specifics on his appearance will be made available in the coming weeks via a separate press release.

The weekend as a whole is fun for the entire family and the fun comes with acres of FREE parking, a $10 daily admission (kids 12 and under free), great food and the chance to pick up amazing pieces of automotive history. The aforementioned Carlisle Events car show offers awards for participants, access for two for the entire weekend with registration and a chance to hang out with thousands of car crazy folks just like them. There's even a Manufacturers Midway with top vendors within the industry including Meguiars, Amsoil and Heacock Classic just to name a few.

Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of 11 annual collector car and truck events. Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA), Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA) and the SUN 'n FUN Complex (Lakeland, FL). The season schedule includes five automotive swap meets of varying size, four auctions, as well as individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, imports, tuners and performance sport compacts. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, events hosted at Carlisle attract more than a half a million enthusiasts annually from all corners of the globe. More information is available via www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.