I usually go to one cruise night in town that is held every Wednesday during summer. No entry fee, but a donation for charity. It's fun for the most part. And some nights it feels like a waste of time. I did tint a guy's little side windows on a '78 t-brd right in the middle of the show. That seemed to be a big hit for everyone. Not sure why. And one night I overheard some guy complaining about the place where I work charging too much money to make extensions for his exhaust and weld chrome tips on. $30 for both sides was too much money in his opinion (read: what a dumba$$) so he made his exhaust out of electrical conduit. It was a Ford truck too, but with a SBC. I would pay entry fees if it is for charity. I paid to get into a show to help children with Downs Syndrome, etc. and it was $10 and they gave you a dash plaque and some other stuff. Was well worth it. I probably wouldn't pay $25 to show my truck if it wasn't for a good cause. But if I can use my truck to help someone less fortunate by all means I'd pay the entry fee.

 

I do Agree, But I helped put on a show for about thirteen years and I can tell you it is not cheap to put on, of course we had about 80 sponsors that basically paid for the show and all of the entry (100%) went to charity. I am sure that Chilohowe Park charges Pat Ford a butt load for the weekend, and unfortunatly most promoters of shows do it as a business so profit is on there minds, A frend of mine puts on the Duch Tail Run every september and, I can tell you if it rains they have a hard time paying the mortgage.

Kyle

 

I just can't keep my mouth shut, figuratively speaking, and I mostly agree with RJ and CIAF. It just seems sort of wrong to spend 20k building a ride and paying someone to let them charge someone else to look at it. On the other side of the coin and as a lot of you know, it costs a lot of money to put on a show whether it's for an afternoon or a four day weekend. Not everyone is like us in that they do it for the love of the event, they have to have some kind of a profit. Just as you guys have said, $25 to attend the biggest truck show ''in the world'' is a real deal, and to be provided with that atmosphere to visit with old friends and make new ones, it's like a Visa card, ''priceless'' I am not a trophy hound, but, you know what? Some of those old trophies and plaques from 30 years ago have some great memories with them, I wish I had kept them all. thanks for listening to the old guy rant

 

That's a Class Post.....

 

I agree with fatfenders56. I don't mind paying for something I want to see or can only go to once or twice in a year. We paid $5.00 to park at the Goodguys show in Scottsdale, Arizona last year. Plus $15.00 per person for me and the wife to enter the event. We went 2 days in a row. Had a friend showing a 1970 Chevy I/2 Pickup and he was parked beside a Guy who had a 32 Roadster built for him that cost him $125,000.00. (He was as down to earth as you or I & we talked for several hours about everything). I don't know how much they charged the guys to bring in their Cars & Trucks, but I'm sure it was pretty penny. Also met and talked to several guys I know from El Paso,Texas. Got a lot of great ideas from there. We had a great time and saw some beautiful machines on display. Now if you want outrageous? Try the Hamburgers & Hotdogs at $7.00 a pop. Fatfenders, please email me as I will be in Tucson on 3-1-08. Like to meet and talk if you don't mind, Terry

 

Just a LITTLE??

(snicker, snicker!)

R

 

Hey Hey now, I heard that...hahahaha. I'd like to think she wasn't leaking, but just markign her territory! hahaha!. Yes that old bike leaked at the tranny seal ,and up front at the main seal. Both were double stuffed too. I used two seals on each. It only gave my bike character. I just sold a little ct 90 Honda for an older neighbor of mine. I used to see him ride it all over the neighborhood. Some guy went by his house and tried to pick it to death. I felt bad for the guy. It had a little oil sweat under the head. It was about 20 years of oil and dust that had accumilated on it. Needless to say ,I went down there and straightened the guy out. Alomost 40 year old bike ,and the guy was complaining about a little oil leak. Boy, I'm glad my old 48 doesn't leak. Folks , I have put on several poker runs in my time, and the ones for charity are very cool to attend. They are very similar to a truck show. A poker run is another way to get together with friends ,and sometimes make new ones. But, I guess when you get one as large as the one you guys are talking about, it is prbably a good thing to actually have someone running it (even if for profit), that keeps it organised, and safe for all. I'm sure there is security present at all times, and alot of management making sure things go smoothly. Just depends on what flaots your boat. The big shows, or the little ones that really help folks in need.Just my .02

 

For anyone who thinks they can organize a better, cheaper show on their own I wish them luck trying. Between the liability, govenment regulations and space costs it won't be cheap. I have never run a show or even on a commity to organize one but I have talked to a few who have. First, insurance, everything has to be covered by insurance which isn't cheap. Second, usually, and I would think always, the municipality the the show is going to be held in will require you to have a rescue or EMT squad or some other form of emergency care on standby. Then you have to figure unless you can find someone with a big farm or other large tract of land that they will let you use for free, you're going to have to pay a small fortune to rent the venue for the weekend. When I first got into old trucks 25+ years ago there were numerous small car shows in little city parks and church parking lots. Today only a handfull are around. I have talked to people who were involved in the small shows and they have told me they were just cost prohibitive due to the about listed reasons.

Car shows seem are like other aspects in life. How many times have you seen an item or service that you thought you could do for a lot less? But when you try to do it for for half the cost you find out by the time you buy the inventory, hire the people to work for you, find a building to do it in and start paying the other costs of doing business, and still make a profit,you can't do it for any cheaper. I thought this about both business and car shows until I started my own business and then again when I thought about starting up a small car show because the local ones were getting too expensive.

If I think a show is too expensive I just won't go. I'm a very frugal person, some may say cheap.

 

I remember turning around and driving away from a number of shows with $20 + dollar entry fees back when I had a car worth showing.

Now when I think about it, that twenty or so bucks keeps some of the riff raff out. I'm not sure what it's like where you all live, but in Connecticut, there's always some dingleberry trying to sneak a piece of junk in, or some thugs walking around swearing and spitting on the ground or worse...(at the expense of me sounding like an old fart)

Plus, so you pay a few bucks to show your car, but you know, if one spectator changes their mind about the cars being old polluting jalopys, or one little kid becomes interested in cars...then hey, I'd be happy to pay $25.

That being said...cruise nights are the way to go.

 

If you think $25 is high,?? I can beat it! I went to a show in Owensboro KY a few years ago with my ex-father in law. (I built his truck too) Anyway when we got there the entry fee was $60 each!! When they told me $60 I thought they meant for both? (which I thought was still high) They told me since we were together theyd knock off $10 bucks each! We RELUCTANTLY stayed!! I dont care about trophys, but I just love to get my old truck in the magazines! There were 5 magazines down there at the time. I never did find all them when the coverage came out, and NEVER went back!! The show was run terrible, and was a RIP OFF!!! (live and learn)

We've been goin to the Supernats since '93, and this year wer'e goin to go to the Smoke Shadows F100 run instead! The last couple of years things just aint been the same?? And I just dont think it's fair for the ladies to not have anything to do at the show. When it was in Pigeon Forge, they could go up and down the strip and shop and have a good time too. (If moma is happy..............)

 

nothing is for free and it costs them to put the show on so i dont mind a reasonable fee for entry . i do mind the food prices as was mentioned , they are gettung nuts . a lot of shows wont let you bring anything in either so it's kind of a p-sser and you gotta pay the prices . i enjoyed the two larger shows i entered last year , the cruise for charity and the mother road festival and had a real good time . no deragotory comments about my old truck which is far from perfect , and felt the fee's were worth it . my only complaint was that it semmed that this year everyone picked up and was gone by 6-7 pm leaving the show a little bare when many folks were just able to get off work and come down . now if one of the small shows here in town with all the local stuff tried to get big bucks { these are the shows where i had people making snide comments about bessie at } well i'd have to say no .

 

I drove my unfinished truck to a show about 10 miles from home last fall and the entry fee was $20. I want to support local shows when I can so I reluctantly paid the fee although I knew my truck was not a trophy class truck. Perhaps show organizers should consider two entry fees and those with unfinished trucks can enter and park but not participate in the judging or be eligible for trophies. A $20 fee may be okay if your truck is finished and you are interested in trophies, plaques, goody bags, and door prizes, but if you just want to park it somewhere to separate your truck from the grocery getters in the parking lot then $5.00 to $10.00 might be appropriate. Next year I'll be parking mine with the grocery getters at this particular show.

 

Good point Vern, some shows here are going to a variable system. The F-100 Elites are hosting a great show next month on the 15th. Anybody can drive up and park, but if they want to be judged, they have to pay $10. This helps cover the cost of the renting the park space, buying trophies and providing insurance. Those people who are not wanting to be judged are not charged.

And as said earlier, the show admission of $25 usually covers two people. So, if the normal admission price is $10 a head, you are getting two in plus getting premium parking. Also, think of the money you will save on refreshments by being able to keep a cooler in your vehicle instead of having to buy theirs at $5 a cup. Good luck, Jag

 

the Owensboro KY show was the first drive (show) no bed on my truck...$60.00 to be in the show ,wow! i said the the guy putting the show on , I don't want to be judge just to park, the guy told me that no one wants to see what you have .The guy never saw what I drove and it was the only coe there . I would think the people going to truck shows would like to see all kind of truck .. I would never go to the Owensboro Ky truck or car show every again

 

Wow seems like a lot of fuss over $25. It cost more than that to take the wife out to a movie and I sure enjoy car shows way more than anything I have seen at the movies.

I got no problem paying the fees because I sure don't want to have to organize, plan, advertise and work the show. I just want to go and show our truck and see everyone else's. This is America, if you don't like the price, you are free not to go.