AACFA 'Camaros N Keys' 2026 Spring Meet: The Ultimate Cruise Description
Get ready to experience the Florida Keys as they were meant to be seen—from behind the wheel of your American pony car! The 2026 'Camaros N Keys' meet is anchored by an epic, full-throttle cruise down the iconic Overseas Highway (US-1), offering three days of camaraderie, stunning coastal scenery, and automotive heritage.
Thursday, March 19th: Muscle Car Train & Key Largo Arrival
Thursday is dedicated to the ultimate group journey to Key Largo, bringing the American muscle community together!
The Muscle Car Train Launch (Tampa): Start your engines early for the official AACFA caravan launch! Participants coming from the Tampa Bay area and points north—including Camaros, Firebirds, and other American Muscle cars—will meet up at 9:00 AM to form a massive "Muscle Car Train" convoy. We will cruise south and east, enjoying a true road trip spectacle before linking up with other members to enter the Keys. The exact Tampa meet-up location will be announced soon!
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Arrival & Check-in at the Holiday Inn Key Largo (MM 100). Settle in and prepare for an exciting weekend. Pets are allowed, so your furry co-pilots are welcome too!
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner & Meet n' Greet at the Holiday Inn Restaurant. Enjoy a relaxed group dinner and share tales from the road.
9:00 PM onwards: Optional Casual Socializing. Continue conversations at the hotel bar or a common area.
Friday, March 20th: The Key West Expedition (The 100-Mile Run)
Friday is the flagship event: a full-day, 200-mile-plus round trip down the Overseas Highway to Key West.
The Convoy: We'll launch a 35-50 car convoy following a detailed Drivers Cruise Meeting. This is a chance to see your F-Body alongside dozens of others as we officially begin the run south.
The Upper Keys: Our first scenic stop is Robbie's of Islamorada for a famously unique Keys experience: hand-feeding the giant Tarpon and snapping photos of your ride with the sparkling bay as a backdrop.
The Middle Keys & The Mile Markers: We'll drive through Marathon before reaching the spectacular Seven Mile Bridge. This stretch offers unmatched photo and video opportunities of the road seemingly floating between the Atlantic and the Gulf.
Historic Stop: After a group lunch in Marathon, we pause at Bahia Honda State Park. Here, you can stretch your legs with a walk on the remnants of the historic railroad bridge, getting a high vantage point for breathtaking views of the turquoise channel.
The Southernmost Point: The convoy then continues to Key West for a brief window to explore the island's unique atmosphere before the evening run back to Key Largo.
Night Cap: Back at the Holiday Inn, we'll wind down the long day with a group dinner, followed by the AACFA Tiki Bar Social by the pool, celebrating a successful run to the Southernmost Point.
Saturday, March 21st: Show n' Shine & Final Cruise Departure
Saturday is dedicated to showcasing your spectacular ride before our final farewell cruise.
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast at the Holiday Inn.
The Show: The morning features the Show n' Shine in the Holiday Inn parking lot, allowing everyone to see the diverse generations of Camaros and Firebirds up close. The show will run until 12:30 PM, with a fantastic $200 cash prize awarded to the top-voted vehicle!
12:30 PM: Check-out from the Holiday Inn Key Largo.
1:00 PM: Final Cruise & Departure. The final Drivers Meeting will take place before our 1:00 PM departure. Participants will then begin their individual cruises home, carrying incredible memories from the Florida Keys.
Registration Perks & Disclaimer:
For all current non-members, your paid registration for 'Camaros N Keys' includes a complimentary one-year AACFA membership! Join us for this unforgettable run, where the incredible heritage of the Camaro and Firebird meets the historic beauty of the Florida Keys.
Please note that this is a preliminary itinerary. The Tampa "Muscle Car Train" location and the Saturday schedule, particularly regarding awards presentations or additional local cruise opportunities, may be subject to further additions and announcements as the event date approaches. ** THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL, MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED**