BIG RAPIDS — Engines revved and music carried across a Ferris State University parking lot as dozens of vehicles lined up for a student-organized showcase.

The Automotive Management Student Organization (AMSO) Car Show took place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, in parking lot 10G at Ferris State University, 750 Perry Ave. in Big Rapids. The free, family-friendly event featured registered vehicles, vendors, food, games, raffles, live music and trophies, with registration set at $20 or $10 for Ferris students.

The event marked the first large-scale show organized by the university’s Automotive Management Student Organization, known as AMSO, as it sought to expand beyond regular club meetings.

Ferris AMSO President Sean Janda said the event reflected both personal interest and broader goals for the organization.

“My father was always in the automotive industry growing up. We had a cool little sports car in the garage, and every Friday night or Saturday was driving out with my father, top down,” Janda said. “So I thought, half business, half cars, I want to do automotive management here at Ferris State.”

Janda said organizing the event required coordinating multiple elements including vendors, food and participants.

“I think it’s going fantastic, especially given the weather,” Janda said. “We’re a bunch of car guys. We’re not event production, but bringing all these factors together has been a really good event for today.”

He said the show was designed to highlight the culture surrounding the automotive field.

“It’s more than just a major,” Janda said. “It’s more than just a business degree or a science degree. We’re family here, and no matter what kind of car you have, we can all come to one place and share that common interest.”

Hugh Janda, Sean Janda’s father and an automotive industry professional, said he traveled from Indiana to attend.

“I’m absolutely elated about this,” Janda said. “I’ve been in the car industry for over 25 years, so this is exciting that my son is following his passion.”

He pointed to the variety of vehicles present at the show.

“Look at this. We’ve got such the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) presence, the German presence is here,” Hugh Janda said. “This is really neat.”

Hugh Janda also described Ferris State as a key pipeline into the automotive industry.

“There are two schools in the United States of America that if you graduate with an automotive technical or management degree, you’re in, and that’s Ferris State and that’s Northwood,” Hugh Janda said.

Other attendees noted participation from beyond the local area.

Kerry Snider said some participants traveled long distances to attend.

“I saw some people. The car next to me came from Wisconsin,” Snider said.

AMSO Treasurer Bronson Huyck said the organization worked with a Ferris class to help plan the event and aimed to build on its success.

“I have to give credit where it’s due,” Huyck said. “They helped us out a lot with the planning.”

Huyck said fundraising efforts tied to the event were part of a broader strategy to grow the organization’s activities.

“We’re hoping that this big event brings us to have more events with other people, more things to do,” Huyck said.