Carlisle Ford Nationals First Timer

[YamaBob]

Greets,

Has anyone had the opportunity to show their car at the Carlisle Ford Nationals? If so, would you care to share your experience and provide some details on how the event is run? I'm planning ahead for next year and hoping to have my Fox Body there.

Some of the things that I'm wondering about are...

Do the cars stay on the show field for the entire weekend?
How are the accommodations for a hauler and trailer?
Has the event ever been rained out?

Anything else you think would be helpful for a first timer and willing to share would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[IIGood]

The last time I showed a car at the Carlisle AFNs was back in 2004 with my '03 GT...I've also gone in years before that with other cars. It's generally been a fun time and a good turnout, and it's even better if you're going with/meeting up with a group of people.

To answer your questions:
- The cars don't have to stay for the entire weekend. I've only ever gone up on that Saturday, entered in the show, and left that evening. Saturday seems to be the peak for all the events.
- I'm not 100% certain about the haulers and trailers, but people do trailer their car there...so there are most certainly accommodations for that. Perhaps someone else can chime in on that part.
- The event is rain or shine. And every time I've been up there, it has rained for at least some portion of the day. So be prepared for weather!

As I said, I always had a great time going up there. Lots of cool rides to check out, you could probably find any obscure parts up there that you might be looking for with all the vendors in the "swap meet" area, and just a good time overall.

I know there are a good bit of hotels in the vicinity if you need lodging; I do believe there is camping allowed somewhere near the fairgrounds (the first year I went up on my own I was preparing to do so), and there are restaurants around there as well. You really don't have to go too far outside of the fairgrounds for any of that stuff.

Just be prepared for a lot of traffic getting around the town if you don't get there early.

 

[Red_LX]

I haven't shown at Carlisle but went for the first time this year.

First off, the car show is HUGE. Like if you enter your car in the show there's a good chance no one will even look at it. They said this year there were 3500 cars registered for the show. I saw some people leaving the show with their cars, some didn't. Everything pretty much shuts down by 5:30-6 PM, I saw lots of people out driving around as I was leaving.

I don't believe they have anywhere in the grounds to put a hauler and trailer unless you have a spot in the vendor's area, the car show area was just cars. I could be wrong.

Sorry, not much but hope that helps a little.