The Special Events division of FWA is made up of passion projects that have grown and become central parts of the FWA experience for everyone. The events under Special Events tend to be larger scale with a lot of moving parts and teams that can perform high level execution. Events like Moonlight Festival, FWA Takeover @ Georgia Aquarium and FWA’s Event Suites. Cars & Collars has grown drastically over the years and has added such a really cool element to the FWA experience. Something that started as some friends hanging out one year has now grown to hundreds of participants just a couple of years later. This year we are super excited to welcome the Cars & Collars team to the FWA Special Events FWAmily and watch them keep getting bigger and better year over year.

- Nitro, FWA’s Director of Special Events

Humble Beginnings with Friends

Cars & Collars began in 2023 as a small, unofficial rooftop car meetup during FWA. It was just a handful of enthusiasts getting together near the convention to share their love of cars, spend time with friends, and connect with other members of the community.

There wasn’t a department, there was no formal backing, and a grand plan didn’t exist. It was simply friends choosing to meet up and create a space of their own during FWA weekend.

From the very start, the idea was simple: create a laid-back, welcoming spot where automotive enthusiasm and the furry fandom could come together.

How It Grew

Each year, more people found their way to us.

What started as a small group of friends steadily grew into something much bigger. By FWA 2025, the garage was filled with almost 200 vehicles, stretching across multiple levels, with people traveling from across the US to be a part of it.

The rooftop of that parking deck became a place the car community gravitated toward during the convention. A place where automotive furries could reconnect, share stories, take photos and spend time together.

Of course, the growth came with its own challenges. Plans didn’t always go the way we expected, and sometimes things changed at the last minute. But through it all, the community shaped what the event became. We’ve always made it a point to respect the spaces we’re given and to represent both the automotive and furry communities well.

Cars & Collars isn’t just about the cars. It’s about the people who show up, the connections they make, and the community they build together. The cars are just a part of that experience.

The Road Ahead

We are really excited and proud to share that after FWA 2025, Furry Weekend Atlanta reached out to us, and starting in 2026, Cars & Collars is entering a new chapter as an official department and event within Furry Weekend Atlanta.

This allows us to work directly as FWA staff, utilize convention resources and support, and continue building a safe and organized space for everyone who attends.

Becoming an official part of FWA doesn’t change the spirit of what Cars & Collars has always been. If anything, it strengthens that spirit. Joining the FWA team provides the sustainable support and resources we need to keep growing while staying true to our community-first roots.

Cars & Collars will always remain community first. Whether you’re bringing a car, coming to hang out, or just want to check it out, you’re welcome. We want to keep it as a space where everyone feels comfortable and included, and we’ll continue working hard to make sure that’s the case.

It’s incredible to think that what started as a small group of friends is now an official convention event. We are so excited to hit the ground running as part of the FWA family, combining our passion with the convention’s reach to make Cars & Collars an even better experience for everyone who attends.

2026 Participation & Parking Information

Interested in bringing your car to Cars & Collars at FWA 2026? You can reserve a spot in the deck now!

To stay up to date on all things Cars & Collars be sure to join our Telegram channel: https://t.me/CarsAndCollars

Thank you for believing in this space and helping it grow year after year.

We will see you on the roof.

— The Cars & Collars Team