THOMASVILLE — Put those transmissions in gear this weekend and head over to the 20th annual Great Southern Antique Car Rally in Cairo.

“The Great American Race came through Cairo (in 1987) as kind of a little pit stop. It was not even on the map,” Rick McCaskill, executive director of Cairo-Grady County Chamber of Commerce, said. “The city did such a good job of welcoming them and showing Southern hospitality the race participants voted it as the most hospitable along the route. Cairo was not even on the ballot, but people wrote us in.”

Afterward, then chamber director Peggy Chapman got together with local car enthusiast and event co-chair Wayne Hadden (and other enthusiasts) to organize Cairo’s own rally, he said.

“We do things a little bit differently,” Hadden explained. “We don’t have a judged show. The Cairo Rotary Club feeds participants on Friday and we have a Gaslight Parade at 8 p.m. (140-150 cars) on Broad Street (First Baptist Church to First Methodist Church). Then, we block off a section of the road and have a street dance with a live band. On Saturday, Kiwanis feeds the participants breakfast and there is a tour route through the area (generally kept within 50 miles). There is a mid-morning stop at the Cairo Antique Car Museum for refreshments, then participants go to Davis Park and put their cars on display for the public.”

Brian Hayes, route organizer, said the tour through Cairo-Grady County is always mapped to show participants the unique attributes of the area.

This year’s theme is “Dodge Cars of the ’50s.” Hadden said the rally rotates between the two local automobile dealers who get to pick the featured car each year.

“I’ve always had an interest in antique cars since I watched parades as a little boy,” Hadden said. “I always wanted one and got my first one more than 30 years ago. I think these cars bring together a unique group of people who are fun to be around. They are also part of our history, and it’s a challenge to work on them, learn about their parts and keep them running.”

Trent Stewart has been a rally participant since the beginning.

“I just like antique cars,” he said. “My dad and I messed around with cars pretty much all my life, since I was old enough to do it. I like meeting new people and the fellowship we have at this event. I work at the checkpoint(s) and I enjoy being able to talk to almost everyone and meet a lot of different people.”

Stewart’s favorite part of the rally is the Gaslight Parade because there is such a variety of cars.

“I like muscle cars the best,” he said. “I have a 1967 Camaro Convertible RS/SS 396 four-speed. It’s what I drove in high school, and I like the speed performance.”

A few trophies are given away, but the event is mainly for fun and a fund-raiser for the chamber (to sponsor projects and help bring business to Cairo).

Stewart encouraged fellow enthusiasts and community members to attend the rally.

“It’s just a fun event,” he said. “It’s a good, family-oriented show with no big politics in awards. It’s just good fellowship and fun. Our motto is, ‘We drive a little while, stop and eat a little while, then ride again.’”