An automobile is put on display at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
Paul Hopkins, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron community center manager, quizzes automobile enthusiasts for prizes at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
Paul Hopkins and Keith Robertson, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, quiz automobile enthusiasts for prizes at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
The winners for best automobiles surround the 1929 Hot Rod pickup that won best in show at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Awards were given out for the top vehicles in seven categories: classics and antiques, hotrods, muscle cars, model motorcycles, trucks, foreign and under construction. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
An automobile is put on display at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
An automobile is put on display at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
An automobile is put on display at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
An automobile is put on display at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
An automobile is put on display at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
An automobile is put on display at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
Trophies are handed out to the top vehicles displayed at the Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park, Oct. 13, 2012. Open to the public, this event drew in Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and many members of the surrounding communities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
by Senior Airman Jette Carr
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/15/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Car enthusiasts gathered at the seventh annual Cannon Thunder Auto Show in Doc Stewart park to show off their automotive masterpieces, Oct. 13. Awards were given out for the top vehicles in seven categories: classics and antiques, hot rods, muscle cars, model motorcycles, trucks, foreign and under construction.
Though most people had to don hats, sunglasses and coats to avoid being nipped by the gusts of constant wind, the crowd was all smiles as they came together to talk cars and browse the isles of various automobiles.
Open to the public, not only did Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., show up for the event, but members from the surrounding communities also brought in their vehicles to be judged. Robert and Eddie Harris, Melrose, N.M., locals, brought a 1929 Rat Rod pickup, winning best in show.
"We have fun at these car shows," said Eddie Harris. "It's a hobby for us and we enjoy it. We love coming to get ideas for future projects."
Those present were given an opportunity to win automotive tool sets and accessories, donated by local businesses, during a car quiz. The crowd gathered around the prize table shouting out random answers in the hope of taking something home.
Not only did most of the participants leave with new tools and trophies, they also left with new friends.
"I see a lot of friendships develop over car shows," said Keith Robertson, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron skills development manager. "It gives Airmen a chance to network with people who have similar hobbies."
At the end of the auto show, people laughed and called out their goodbyes to each other as engines revved to life and cars drove off, leaving behind dust and tracks.
