Vero Beach Showcases Vintage Cars at Train Station for July 4th Parade

Dozens of classic and vintage cars dating back a full century will line up at the Old Vero Beach Train Station on July 4th as the Indian River Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America joins the city's "Pioneers to Paradise" celebration marking America's 250th anniversary.

The static display will run on the mainland before the morning parade, offering spectators a chance to walk the lot and see vehicles spanning five decades — from roaring 1920s roadsters through the chrome-heavy trucks and muscle cars of the 1970s. Organizers recommend arriving early to take in the full collection before the procession gets underway.

The timing carries its own milestone. The Indian River Region of the AACA, founded in 1976 by a small group of local collectors, marks its 50th anniversary this year. The club now counts more than 200 members and has expanded its mission beyond showcasing vehicles to supporting automotive education at both Vero Beach High School and Sebastian River High School. The club donates uniform shirts to senior students and sends members into classrooms throughout the year.

The club is also celebrating the 47th running of its annual spring car show at Riverside Park, newly rechristened "Concours Under the Oaks," with more than 300 vehicles expected this year.

The July 4th event is part of a broader state effort coordinated through the Florida Department of State to mark the national semiquincentennial.

For Vero Beach families looking for a free, walkable morning activity before the parade, the train station display offers a rare chance to see — and hear the stories behind — machines that outlasted the generations that built them.

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