Burt Reynolds to Appear at Fall Florida AutoFest in Lakeland

Carlisle Events has been promoting automotive events in Florida since the fall of 2012 when it hosted Fall AutoFest in Zephyrhills.  After three years and six increasingly popular events, the Pennsylvania-based company had no choice but to move to a modern day, large scale facility.  With the SUN ‘n FUN complex in Lakeland tapped as its new home, Carlisle Events is preparing to host Fall Florida AutoFest, November 12-15.  This event already hosts a bevy of automotive and aeronautical excitement and now, Carlisle Events is pleased to announce a two-day appearance by the legendary Burt Reynolds.

Reynolds is a long-time star of stage and screen, appearing in nearly 200 films including Stroker Ace,Hooper, Boogie Nights, Mystery Alaska, Deliverance,Longest Yard, Dukes of Hazzard and Cannonball Run. He was a popular guest host on The Tonight Show and starred in the television series Out of this World and the fondly remembered Evening Shade, which is considered one of the best comedies ever written.  Although Reynolds’ name and face has graced many worthy movies, he will forever be remembered as the charming, devil-may-care Bo “Bandit” Darville in the 1977 pop culture hit Smokey and the Bandit.

Still a working actor at the age of 79, Reynolds has a number of movies due to be released in the next year. He continues to pursue his love of teaching at The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre. Recently, Reynolds was awarded both the Georgia Film Legend Award and the Film Florida Legends Tourism Ambassador Award. In September he became the only actor to be inducted into the Stuntman Hall of Fame. Reynolds is actively involved in charity work including a partnership with the Dream Giveaway Sweepstakes.  His association with the Dream Giveaway team is partially what brings him to Fall AutoFest.  He would love to see one of his fans win the beautifully restored and autographed 1979 Trans Am being offered through the Bandit Dream Giveaway Sweepstakes, proceeds from which will benefit a number of worthwhile charities as well as the building fund of the Burt Reynolds Institute.

This is actually the second time that Carlisle Events is doing business with Reynolds in 2015.  Earlier in the year, as part of Spring Carlisle and its auction, the Carlisle Auctions team sold for $181,900, a 1977 Bandit Trans Am that was owned by none other than Reynolds himself.  The sale gained international attention and proved to be the top selling car of the spring auction.

Along with the Bandit Dream Giveaway Trans Am, the Bandit himself and tens of thousands of guests, the Smokey and the Bandit theme will continue with a replica of the Snowman’s rig from the movie as well as a replica police car representing one that Jackie Gleason/Sheriff Buford T. Justice drove.  In all, it’ll be a weekend for not only car lovers but also movie lovers and fans of Burt Reynolds alike.

Reynolds will be onsite Friday and Saturday of Fall Florida AutoFest hosting multiple autograph sessions.  Friday’s session is from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday’s is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  In addition, Reynolds will return to the complex after a brief break Saturday evening from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. to introduce a drive-in movie screening of Smokey and the Bandit.  An autograph with Reynolds is free, but limited per person and a fee will apply for any merchandise purchased at the signing.  Carlisle Events anticipates a line, so a "Bandit Pass" has also been established.  For a donation to the Dream Giveaway Sweepstakes and the Bandit Dream Giveaway ($25), guests can move to the front of the line for the one on one with Reynolds.  Details on Fall Florida AutoFest can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com