AS THE family of four unloaded from their van, their oldest child pulled on his father’s arm toward the train. Cory Osborne’s scaled-back, coal-black engine with its silver cowcatcher waited patiently as its cars and caboose filled with the family and others. Some children pointed and chattered, while others retreated into the comfort of their parents’ arms.
It pulled out of its station, passing hot rods, a monster truck, a dragster, vintage automobiles, motorcycles, and other cars and trucks. Pointing, chattering, and wonder overflowed from the train as the car show’s entries gave way to the carnival’s games and petting zoo. Their favorite superheroes, princesses, and characters roamed the grounds, stopping for hugs, handshakes, and special photos.
After reaching its destination, the train waited as it unloaded, headed for a day of food, fun, and festivities at the annual Puzzled Car Show. It’s a Lynchburg event that brings awareness, acceptance, and local resources to autistic people and individuals.
Blake Bryant, the founder and CEO of Puzzled Events, understands that some of those excited and seemingly bashful children have unique abilities. Some families live in a world untouched by autism. Others, like Bryant, are blessed to live and thrive in it, making it their goal to ensure that local children with autism know they are cared for and enabled to live at their fullest potential.
Bryant, who identifies himself as on the lower end of the spectrum, said, “I was extremely fortunate because my mom and dad and my sister have always been a great support system. There were lots of teachers that said I would never make it — that I’d never amount to anything, that I would just be in jail. And that’s the farthest thing from the truth. I have two grown kids, four grandkids, and a great job. I have a charity that does great and comes from the heart. We are all volunteers. We’re all doing it from the heart.”
The car show offers an extraordinary lineup, from classic hot rods to modern marvels. A variety of food trucks and vendors participate as well. The 2023 event, which Bryant claims is the largest in Lynchburg and among the top eight in Virginia, showcased 509 entries. The diversity of vehicles mirrors the spectrum of individuals the organization serves, with special attractions beyond typical car shows. Monster trucks, jeeps, drag racers, and motorcycles aren’t just for viewing — children can climb on board, try on racing helmets, and snap photographs. This hands-on approach reflects Bryant’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can engage with and enjoy the fun.
Another way Puzzled Events does this is by joining forces with the Lynchburg Hillcats for the team’s autism awareness night. The event raises funds through donations of a portion of ticket sales, a silent auction, and a jersey auction, but the funds are only part of the purpose. The goal is to reach new families and raise awareness in a relaxed, fun environment.
“It’s more about raising awareness and helping families,” Bryant explained, highlighting the event’s role in breaking down barriers and connecting families with vital support services. Bryant invites other organizations serving children’s needs to share resources at the event, too.
Still, the jersey auction is a unique and fun element. Players wear special autism jerseys, which are auctioned during the game. The player takes off the jersey, signs it, gives it to the winning bidder, and poses for photographs.
“People really love that, and it did extremely well this year because a couple of players were getting ready to move up to the major leagues. People really wanted those jerseys,” Bryant shared.
He reiterated the mission of the event.
“It’s about families being able to get the resources because it’s difficult. People don’t know how hard it is to find the resources because a lot of those families are so closed off, scared, and trying to protect their children. So that’s why I love the Hillcats game because it affords us the opportunity to meet new families and interact with them. The family’s already there having fun, so they’ll talk to you, and that’s what I really like about it.”
Bryant constantly seeks opportunities to expand the reach of his nonprofit.
He said, “I’ve probably been to close to 50 or 60 events this year just to promote what we do. I’m highly involved with Amazement Square, which is the only autism-certified museum in the state of Virginia and one of five in the United States. They’ve started a program there [called] Everyone is Special, just for special needs children.”
Bryant’s personal connection to autism drives his passion and dedication to the children and families he serves.
“No child has a disability; they have a different ability,” he emphasized.
This philosophy extends beyond the car show. Bryant and his wife, Andrea, dedicate nearly all their free time to supporting children and families through various initiatives throughout the year. Bryant’s goal is to ensure that children know they’re valued and filled with potential, especially those for whom others have not yet identified their superpower.
“I try to help children find that ability because, a lot of times, people with different abilities, any kind of disabilities, just need somebody to believe in them,” he said passionately and from personal experience.
With each effort, Puzzled Events raises awareness about autism and fosters connections that empower families to embrace their unique journeys. Supported by local partnerships and a dedicated network of volunteers, Bryant and his team are determined to ensure that every child, regardless of their abilities, knows they are valued and capable of achieving great things. GN
