Celebrities draw fans to the Auto Show; car contests excite visitors
This years Auto Show offered a wide array of entertainment and celebrities for all tastes, from football and super star wrestlers to TV stars and an Olympian.
One of the most popular was Gabby Douglas, the first African-American to win the most prestigious Gold Medal in gymnastics, the Olympic Individual All-Around competition. Douglas, who received two gold medals at the London Olympics last summer, met fans and signed autographs at the Toyota booth Friday evening, February 8.
Popular Redskins linebacker, London Fletcher, who also signed autographs, was a huge favorite. Everyone was worried about him leaving the Redskins and happily for the home town team, he did not, said WAS promotions director Barbara Pomerance.
Wrestling superstar Randy Orton signed autographs starting at 6 p.m., Feb. 6 and was such a big attraction that people started lining up six hours ahead of time. The next day, wrestling fans stood in line again to meet famed WWE performer Sheamus.
Karina Smirnoff, famed dance professional from Dancing with the Stars, greeted Auto Show visitors in the Mazda exhibit, where she was enthusiastically received by fans lining up to meet her. She became a favorite of service men and women when she partnered with 2011 DWTS Champion and decorated Iraq war veteran J.R. Martinez.
A big crowd turned out to see Richard Rawlings, owner of the acclaimed hot rod shop Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas, hosted by Ford on Feb. 5. Rawlings is currently featured on the Discovery Channels Fast N Loud show. In the show, Richard and his partner Aaron Kaufmann search for, buy and restore classic cars for auction in Texas and other nearby states.
Other TV stars signing autographs were Johnny Lozada, Univision and Penelope Menchaca, program host for Telemundo.
On the first weekend of the WAS, Gloria Del Castillo, national coordinator for Buckle Up for Life, gave presentations about child passenger safety on the Toyota stage. Del Castillo is an injury prevention coordinator at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center and has worked with Toyota and trauma specialists to create the safety program. Former Space Shuttle astronaut Garrett Reisman also signed autographs on the Toyota stage on the first weekend relative to the Tundra truck that reportedly pulled the 80 ton NASA Space Shuttle, unassisted.
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