Auto shows are the safest places to practice pretend engine noises without attracting lawn mowers in heat. Rev up with today's Groupon: for $10, you get two tickets to the Jacksonville International Car & Truck Show at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center (up to a $20 value). Entry is free for children 5 or younger and $5 for children 6–12. Tickets are valid for the following dates:
- Friday, February 17, from noon to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, February 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, February 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Automobile buffs gravitate toward the Jacksonville International Car & Truck Show, where 2012’s newest import and domestic rides strut their stuff on an expansive catwalk. Throughout the three-day event, hundreds of fresh-from-the-factory cars, vans, crossovers, and hybrids roll onto the convention-center floor, representing such major manufacturers as Audi, Cadillac, Ford, and Honda. As attendees graze displays, compare features, and feed oats to baby SUVs, dealership and company representatives roam the grounds fielding questions and demonstrating product highlights.
On Saturday and Sunday, classic Corvettes and Mustangs headline a series of special events, including test drives of the latest Chevrolet, GMC, and Buick models. A Gordon Chevrolet fire engine also stands by for kids to climb aboard and learn about the flame-fighting profession. Wagon enthusiasts 5 or younger earn free admittance to the show after demonstrating the ability to change a monster-truck tire.
Jacksonville International Car & Truck Show
For three days, the Jacksonville International Car & Truck Show turns the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center into the nation’s most exciting parking lot. Deluxe rides from the likes of Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche dazzle attendees with sleek lines and plush interiors, and innovative autos such as the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt show off their efficient electric engines. The newest models from more than 25 other manufacturers line the floor, doors open for guests to lean back in the seats or measure how large a ham can fit in the glove compartment. During daylight hours, a lineup of drivable cars idle outside to give curious patrons the chance to try their dream rides.