Carfest 2023: March 31 and April 1-2
The 8th annual Carfest will be held March 31 and April 1-2, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas at the Freeman Expo Hall. Hours are Friday 6pm-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, and Sunday 10am-6pm Sunday. This free three-day festival is familyfriendly and open to the public.
“Our three-part mission is to serve the public, the youth, and those in need,” says Louie Sirianni, president of the Community of Automobile Professionals (CAP), the 501(c)3 behind the project.
“At its heart, Carfest is about lifting up mechanics and others in the auto industry.” Sirianni said, a family repair shop owner himself.
CAP started in 2016 to direct attention toward the auto industry as it faces an increasing lack of skilled, passionate workers.
As part of this mission, Carfest presents Careerfest in a building adjacent to the Freeman Expo Hall where 25 employers ranging from auto parts stores to dealerships interview recent grads referred by local tech schools in an effort to place the students in meaningful employment.
The public can enter to win a free car! Sponsors Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Red Mccombs, BG, and O’reilly Auto Parts make it possible for us to give away a free car every 2 hours, starting Saturday at 12pm. The cars are used and in good condition. Those over 18 with a Texas driver’s license or active or retired military can enter the raffle in person during the event.
As part of the charity festival’s mission “unity in the community,” 25 car repair shops donate time and parts to fix cars for 25 people in need who are selected by local non-profits that work with them. Repairs are done on-site Saturday and Sunday with the help of interested youth.
If all this doesn’t rev your engine, new this year we also have an outdoor carnival with rides and games. Friday night features a cruise-in, food truck competition, BBQ cook-off, DJ, mechanical bull, concessions, 50+ retail vendors, and over 100 collector cars on display.
Saturday and Sunday our community stage will host over a dozen acts including performances by the Texas Children’s Choir, a comedy show sponsored by Upstage Comedy Lounge, martial artists, dancers, singers, and more.
There’s an artisan market with unique treasures and an auto swap meet for car enthusiasts to trade memorabilia and car parts. Young entrepreneurs 18 and under will have space to sell their arts and crafts, and non-profits will showcase their public services.
For the kiddos, we have a kid car driving area and free car giveaways, cornhole, and soft play. Students turning 15-17 in 2023 learn the basics of maintaining a car and take part in fun activities like a distracted driving simulator as part of our New Driver Workshop. Those that participate are eligible to win two of the 10 free car giveaways. Registration can be done online at carfestsa.org
Other activities include the carnival, a fishing pond, a shooting simulator, junior ax throwing, and a mechanical bull. Just don’t get caught in Carfest Jail or your friends may need to bail you out for a small donation.
The festival expects 15,000 people to attend over three days.
ABOUT CARFEST
Carfest is a FREE automotive charity festival for all ages, founded in 2016 by the Community of Automotive Professionals (CAP), a 501c3 in San Antonio Texas. Held every year in spring, the event fulfills its three-part mission to serve the public, youth, and those in need by giving away free cars, repairing for charity, and giving away thousands in grants to auto tech schools. Fun features during the festival include live music, food trucks, retail vendors, and family activities for all. To learn more about our event or to sign up to volunteer, visit carfestsa.org.