I don’t really care for the swap meets, yet I’m still drawn to them. If I’m looking for a used VW part I hit up one of my bookmarked websites that has 25,000 used parts, listed by car and searchable title. Easy shopping from my couch.

I do like small shows as long as there is some side event going on. Fair, art show or carnival….

This topic will get my wheels turning…

Swap Meets. I rarely attend them anymore, for many reasons. Like Ryan, if I’m looking for a used part, I’ll shop online. I can usually find what I need from the comforts of my own home. I haven’t been to Jefferson in probably 3 or 4 years now, and I can’t say that I’m missing anything. I have to agree with X-man, I too have thrown out better [strike]shit[/strike] memoribilia than what I see for sale down there. And yes, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but there are quite a few “sales people” at Jefferson that I wouldn’t buy from based on the appearance of there items for sale, the equipment they use to transport it, and there own personal appearance and hygeine. There are plenty of clean cut crooks out there too! I have scored some really good deals at Jefferson in the past. And you can find plenty of used, reman, and new parts for sale there. But the weather usually sucks during the spring meet, and I can remember one year it was so cold I had my winter coat on with gloves and a stocking cap. The only thing I really enjoyed at Jefferson was cruising the car corral, but in the past few years that has also attracted a lot of junk.

Car Shows. I’m sure that this topic has been covered 100 times over, but its always fun because one’s perspective may change.

I like the smaller shows that are a drive to get to. Not because the competition may be challenging, but because you get to see cars you have never come across before. You also get to meet new people in more of an intimate setting. I attend the show in Lancaster, and though its a small show (only drawing 100-125 cars maybe last year) the park has a great setting. The food is also delicious and priced right. The Classy Chassis car club works hard for this show, I just wish more people would give them a chance and boost there attendance. The other fun part of attending this show is when DDHemi and I give our buddy Chuck Richardson the Fly-By on Hwy 18 every year through Amish country :laugh: Another smaller show I enjoy attending is Verona’s car show during Hometown Days. The VFD landscape is host to this show, and the Sugar River Cruisers put this on. They do a good job and its close to home for me. Last year I was excited to see the ’69 Camaro of Ray Reeson’s at the show. One of Ray’s sons is a friend of mine, and I was fortunate enough to get Ray’s car featured in a movie filmed in Central WI a couple years ago. One thing I would like to see implemented at this show is either a fire truck display or an antique fire truck display since it is held at the VFD. Another small show I enjoyed last year was Brodhead. I didn’t get to stick around because severe weather threatened the show, but my family is from there and its nice to go see them, and see the house my dad grew up in.

As far as larger shows, there’s only 3 that I can say I honestly enjoy – Automotion in the Dells, Blanchardville, and Pardeeville. Automotion is my Daytona 500 of the car show season. Its a two day event, I spend the whole weekend in the Dells with great friends, get to see lots of awesome cars, and there is a teeny tiny bit of recreational, responsible partying that takes place. But, being on the verge of the big 3-0, I’ve settled down a bit Last year was the first year in 10 years of attending Automotion that I won an award, and not only was I suprised but I was also humbled. Not a bad first ‘at bat’ for the 442. Blanchardville I consider my hometown show. If Mt. Horeb had a show, that would be my hometown show, but since they don’t and I haven’t heard squat from the Chamber, Blanchardville is it. Frank has his equipment together, and this show runs smooth IMO. Granted, its usually the middle of July and there is no air moving in that valley, and now thanks to the dumbass football coach a lot of those big, shady oak trees were removed :angry: But the show still goes on, there’s plenty of food and ice cream to be had, cold beer always hits the spot on a hot day, and Frank does something special each year. Pardeeville is the other show I enjoy because that’s where Mom’s side of the family originates. I get to see many aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout the day. Jim and Vicki Nelson really work hard to put this show together, and when it comes to judging I do not envy any of those folks – the competition is very stiff. Plus, Jim played in the Pardeeville High School band with my mom – gotta support the class of ’71! The park is well shaded as long as you don’t get stuck on the football field, so get there early. Plus, if you’re parked up against the lake, you can just toss your trash in it :laugh: J/K

As for shows I don’t like attending… I don’t like the shows where the same cars win every year. Beloit Autorama is a good example. This show gets tons of nice cars, and the same guys win awards every year. How about giving some other guys/girls a chance? I still haven’t changed my perspectives of the Albany and Reedsburg shows since last year. Piss poor judging, bottom line. Albany invited DDhemi and I to there meeting to give our two wooden nickles, but then never called. Reedsburg, well, I think we all know how that one turned out :laugh: The Keystone cops won’t be graced with my presence this year, so I’m sure the show will be excellent! I also won’t attend any Goodguys events. Fordasaki’s attitude along with the IMO ridiculous prices have shadowed my view of the whole organization. Plus I don’t think its fair to have a 1972 cutoff for show attendees. Not trying to start any drama, just sayin…

moparkid25 wrote:
This topic will get my wheels turning…

I attend the show in Lancaster, and though its a small show (only drawing 100-125 cars maybe last year) the park has a great setting. The food is also delicious and priced right. The Classy Chassis car club works hard for this show, I just wish more people would give them a chance and boost there attendance. The other fun part of attending this show is when DDHemi and I give our buddy Chuck Richardson the Fly-By on Hwy 18 every year through Amish country :laugh:

Thanks for posting about this show. I never knew that there was a show in Lancaster. How do I get a flier or information on this show?

This is a show that I would like to attend and support in 2010! I may be cruising behind Chuck Richardson and Dick Lehnherr this year, so you and DD can do a ‘Fly By’ on three old dudes this year! Seriously, I would like to go back to Lancaster because of my speeding ticket from the Wisconsin State Patrol while driving that red Chevy Bel Air earlier this year. Honestly Officer, I didn’t know the speed limit on Hwy 18 was 55 coming into Lancaster, I thought it was 65!

Marshall