Charity for Children

BROOKSVILLE — Monster Transmission and Performance started eight years ago as a small family business. Since then, the business has outgrown two buildings and moved to its third facility six months ago, next to the Hernando County Fairgrounds. It now boasts about 25 employees.

To thank the community and raise money for children's charities, Monster has teamed up with its neighbors at the fairgrounds and will present the first Monster Auto Show and Children's Charity Event on Saturday.

The daylong event will include a car, truck and bike show, an all-day truck pull, a truck tug-of-war, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and a large kids area with bounce houses, inflatables, face painting and balloons.

Music will be provided by various bands throughout the day, with Thunderstruck, an AC/DC tribute band, headlining.

"We've done (community) projects in the past, but nothing of this magnitude," said Achilles Thomas, the owner of Monster Transmission. "It's coming along surprisingly well, considering this is our first time."

Thomas said the Speed Channel's Two Guys Garage show, with hosts Bryan Fuller and Kevin Byrd, will be filming Saturday morning at Monster Transmission, then throughout the day at the fairgrounds.

"They should be at the fairgrounds around noon," Thomas said, "and will be signing autographs and taking footage."

The car, truck and bike show is expected to be large. More than $10,000 will be awarded in cash prizes and giveaways. Entry fees are $20 for cars and trucks and $15 for bikes; registration can be done in advance or at the show.

Thomas said about 100 vehicle owners have already registered, and he expects many more to register at the event. "They're coming in droves," he said.

Also joining forces with Monster's event is the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, which has organized an art contest for Hernando County students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Entries will be accepted through noon Saturday at the event, or can be dropped off today at Monster Transmission. Judging will be at 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded, and winning works will be displayed at Monster.

To cap the day's events, there will be a fireworks display at approximately 8 p.m. The show will be provided by Zambelli Fireworks, a national company that has provided fireworks displays at Walt Disney World.

"There's going to be a ton of things going on," Thomas said. "It's all coming together really nicely."

Proceeds from the day's events will benefit several children's charities, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Children's Home Society of Florida.