Big Banana Car to stop at SoHo

Steve Braithwaite, builder and owner of the Big Banana Car, will visit Homewood on Monday en route to an Art Car Parade in Houston. 

The Big Banana Car will be available for viewing and photo opportunities on Monday, May 6 from 1-2 p.m. at SoHo Square.

Braithwaite, a South England native, got the idea to build the banana car while admiring a small bowl of fruit on the counter of a gas station. 

"I wanted to do something ridiculous," he said. "And I couldn't think of anything more ridiculous than a motorized banana."

Soon after, Braithwaite began his search for the perfect donor vehicle and construction began.

The car became street-legal in May of 2011 and has been pleasing crowds from Rhode Island to Texas and Minnesota to Florida ever since. 

Braithwaite and the Big Banana Car Crew will be leaving at the end of June to embark on a round-the-world journey. They hope to utilize the media attention they receive to raise awareness for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that claimed the life of Braithwaite's mother.

For more on the Big Banana Car and World trip, visit www.Bigbananacar.com.