Puzzled Events & Car Show Celebrates 11 Years on October 19th
"It's so important to me to make sure every child is included, no child is left out, no child is left behind. We go the extra mile to make sure of that."
- Blake Bryant, Founder of the Puzzled Events & Car Show
Blake Bryant, founder the of the Puzzled Events & Car Show, dreamed up this event over a decade ago to support children with autism in the Greater Lynchburg community. The event has grown dramatically with over 5,000 attendees in 2023 and hundreds of volunteers. The day raised $50,000 for Amazement Square's Everyone is Special Program.
The Everyone is Special (EIS) program is an extension of Amazement Square’s educational priorities to cultivate an engaged community of lifelong learners and ensure hands-on experiential learning is accessible to all visitors. Through this program, Amazement Square is able to provide unique museum exploration experiences to children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, their siblings, and parents. Additionally, this program provides STEAM based experiential learning opportunities to adaptive learning classrooms.
Bryant said, "I'm actually on the autism spectrum myself, so I struggled most of my life with school, just daily things. It made me aware and I want to help children so they don't have the same struggles. That's my goal everyday, to help one child a day so they don't have to struggle because people don't realize how hard it is. I don't look like I have a disability on the outside but the truth of it is, I have struggles everyday, and those are the children I want to help, because people just don't understand what they go through every day."
The 2024 Puzzled Event & Car Show will take place on Saturday, October 19 from 10 AM to 4 PM at 307 Alleghany Ave. They charge $25 entry fee to participate in the car show but the spectators are free.
"Everyone says car show and it is a big, huge car show. But it's not just a car show. We have a carnival for children, we have bouncy houses, we have games, and everything is free for children. Spectators are free also. We have vendors and food trucks, a raffle and silent auction, a petting zoo, and this year we've added an infant zone. It will feature an infant bounce house in an area that keeps them safe," said Kimmie Powell, Executive Director of Puzzled Events.
To learn more about Puzzled Events & Car Show and how to volunteer with this event on October 19, click here. To see our interview with Founder Blake Bryant and Executive Director Kimmie Powell on The Mike Show, click here.