By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A trio of celebrity judges will decide which vehicle owners take home most of the trophies and cash prizes when State Line Pawn Shop in Atmore conducts the first Sharon Brown Car Show later this month. The folks who attend will select the grand prize winner.
Plans are for the event — set for 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22 — to become an annual celebration. While the car show is basically a competition between vehicle owners, its main intention is to honor the memory of the family business’ former owner, who fell victim to a fatal heart attack in 2020.
“Everybody in town knew Sharon,” said Teresa Byrd, who became misty eyed as she spoke about her late sister. “She passed away three years ago this month of a heart attack, in her sleep. The pawn shop is a family-owned business — it’s been in our family since 1964 — so we worked together every day.”
She pointed out that it’s not just family members who remember Sharon Brown with fondness.
“We still have people coming in all the time, telling us how much they miss her, how good she was to them and their families, how she helped them out when they needed something,” Teresa said.
Store employee Tim Lassiter, who has been friends with the family for years, agreed that Sharon was worthy of such remembrance.
Entries will be displayed on the parking lot of the pawn shop, which is located next to Acapulco Mexican Restaurant on Church Street.
“We thought we would throw something together for her, right out here in the parking lot,” said State Line employee Danny Rolin. “We hope to have a bunch of cars here.”
The car show will be like most others in many ways but will be completely different in another.
“There will be no entry fee,” Teresa said. “We’re not raising any money for anything. It’s just going to be a fun day.”
Photos will be taken of the vehicles for submission to Hot Rod magazine, attendees will vote for the winner of the first Sharon Brown Trophy (for Best in Show), and the day’s fun will include free hot dogs and drinks, door prizes and music.
“We’re expecting (Nashville recording artist and Atmore resident) Ricky Crook to stop by and play a few songs, and we’ll have our regular sound system set up,” Rolin said.
The judges should be familiar to those who watch television’s Discovery Channel or The Country Network.
Johnny Griffis of Flomaton, whose “old school corn liquor” took second place on Discovery’s Moonshiners: Master Distillers in 2020, will be joined by Mike and Jimbo, fellow cast members who are among Alabama’s best brewers of homegrown alcoholic spirits.
Procurement of Griffis, who currently appears on the Alabama Shine show on TCN, and his famous bootlegger buddies also came about through a family connection.
“Johnny’s grandmother and my grandmother are sisters,” Rolin said. “He didn’t mind doing it, and he talked the other guys into it.”
Rolin added that one local car club has already committed to appearing at the show, while he has contacted several others about being a part of it.
“Cruisers Unlimited (Car & Truck Club) of Atmore, has said they would come,” he said. “I’ve also reached out to people in Pensacola and other places. It’s going to be a big day, a fun thing. We want people to come out and be a part of the celebration.”
To enter a vehicle in the show, or for more information, call 251-368-5150 or stop by the pawn shop.