Zephyrhills residents and visitors alike are invited to step back in time during the upcoming History in Motion on Founders Day at Depot Museum Park. The family-friendly celebration will showcase local heritage, classic machinery, and rare vehicles from across the country in a fully interactive experience.
One of the highlights of the event is a tribute to drag racing legend Don Garlits, who got his start in Zephyrhills. Festivalgoers will have the chance to see the very car that launched Garlits’ legendary career, offering a unique connection to the community’s place in motorsports history.
More than 50 rare antique automobiles built before 1940 will be featured, many of them arriving from collectors across the United States. Some of the vehicles date back to before 1910 and will parade beneath the towering live oaks of Depot Museum Park, giving spectators a rare glimpse of early automotive history in motion.
Visitors can also experience a wide variety of attractions throughout the day. A live blacksmith will demonstrate traditional metalworking techniques, while local artisans and historical displays showcase the craftsmanship and heritage of the area. Guests can enjoy a variety of food trucks and local vendors offering refreshments and unique goods.
Antique farm tractors and engines will be on display alongside vintage bicycles and motorcycles, highlighting the evolution of transportation and farm life. Throughout the park, hands-on demonstrations and interactive exhibits will give visitors the chance to see history in action and learn about the tools, machines, and skills that helped shape the community.
For those wanting an even closer look at the historic machines, antique car rides may be available with owner permission, giving attendees the chance to ride through the park in a piece of living history.
A particularly unique vehicle on display will be a 1925 Yellowstone Park bus, a classic touring vehicle that once carried visitors through America’s first national park.
Admission and parking for the Hometown Festival are free, making it an accessible outing for families and history lovers alike. Organizers encourage guests to bring a lawn chair, relax under the live oaks, and watch the parade of antique vehicles roll through the park.
With historic engines rumbling, craftsmen at work, and vehicles spanning more than a century of innovation, the Founders Day Hometown Festival promises to be a memorable day celebrating the community’s past and the people who helped shape it.
