Engines were revving for a good cause Saturday at the 12th annual Aiken Horsepower Association Spring Fling.
Rides of all shapes, sizes and ages were on display at the event, which is the association's biggest event of the year and raised money for the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons.
Cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles sparkled and rumbled while spectators walked around admiring the rides and looked under the hoods.
Elsewhere, there was a silent auction, a swap meet, a Hot Wheels race for the younger spectators, raffles and door prizes.
There was a special drawing in which one lucky contestant would win a go-cart donated by Sears Hometown on Whiskey Road.
The association holds 11 cruise-ins throughout the year, but this is the only show, according to president Vicky Reynolds. "At a cruise-in, you just cruise in, park and talk," she said. "Here's where we make most of our money."
That money will help out the Cumbee Center, which Reynolds said she was introduced to by an employer 20 years ago.
"I don't like for people to be abused. That's just in my heart and always has been," she said.
Reynolds said the group is looking to help out with other events for good causes, including a cruise-in that will be put on by ACTS at Langley Pond to help feed the homeless.
Karson Rogers smiled as he pedaled back and forth in a black car with painted flames that was part of the kids car show. His grandmother, Beth Rogers, said she grew up with Reynolds and has been coming to the association's events for years.
"It's usually on Karson's birthday," she said, adding that Karson turned four on Saturday. "He likes riding in these cars, and looking at the cars. He was on the fire truck earlier."
Having a hot ride is not required to become a member of the association, Reynolds said, and membership has grown from 60 to more than 260.
For more information about the association and its events, visit www.aikenhorsepower association.com.
Teddy Kulmala covers the crime and courts beat for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since August 2012. He is a native of Williston and majored in communication studies at Clemson University.